Saturday, March 21, 2009 - To Everything There Is A Season
Category: Saturday Psalm and Praise Meme
I looked at Caleb the other day to see that he has now become 3 and a half. And I thought, "Where did the time go?".
Spring has come again. It seems like only yesterday we were looking at a long winter, and now it is passed and spring greens are breaking through last years' leftover Fall leaves. We have yet to see the yellow of the Daffodils and Narcissus or the pink of the Hyacinths, but the blooms are surely soon to come.
I am the same inside as I have always been: hopes, dreams, love, hate; but time moves faster than ever before. My children grow faster than ever before. And the LORD has written it all in his WORD as it will be - as it has always been.
Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
There is a time to every purpose under the heaven. We can think on that, hold it in our hearts and remind ourselves of it in times of troubles. God holds time in his hands. We can place our trust in him. Shabbat Shalom!
Thank you for joining me for Saturday Psalm & Praise. If you would like to read others’ thoughts, Psalms and Praises this week, please follow the links below. If you would like to join us for Saturday Psalm & Praise, we welcome your praises and blessings to the Lord!
All I ask if you participate is that you link your direct link here and use the icon, linked back to Walking Therein. Please sign the Linky below with a direct link to your Sat. Psalm & Praise this week so we can find it!
As of today - Thursday here in IN - you have only two days left to vote for your favorite blogs in the Homeschool Blogs Awards!
If you have not been able to do so yet, can I ask for your vote? I won't promise you any big promises that won't be kept, or any small ones either. There are a few blogs I have a personal interest in, and if you see fit to, could you vote for them?
Each family is allowed a max. of 5 votes, 1 for each person old enough to use a computer (up to 5, of course).
I have linked the categories so that you may go directly to the page to vote. If you are not familiar with my choices, their blogs are linked on the voting pages.
My Picks
City on A Hill is our very own Rachel from Rachel's Reasoning. She blogs sweet little stories, great recipes, chicken and goat updates, and she is just a super blog-friend!
On the Road To Manhood is Eric's blog. He is just beginning to blog, and we use it as a part of his school writing. He is tickled to have been nominated, and I have enjoyed him watching as the few votes he has gotten has gone up.
Resting in the Arms of Grace is Miss Hannah's pretty blog that Jocelyn designed. Jocelyn cannot be in the awards, as she is a writer and author on the Homeschool Blog Awards site, but we are thrilled that this pretty frivolous blog design she created is!
Growing in Grace Magazine is a personal preference of ours. We have 5 in our family who write for this online blog-magazine to encourage moms and young ladies of all ages. It is published almost daily, with a special magazine issue each month. The graphics change each month also, and we are reaching into girls' lives and having a positive influence!
Feelin’ Feminine is a group blog borne from Jocelyn's heart to see women know that being feminine and lovely is a good and desirable thing. It is not just something that silly, mindless lazy women do, but a lovely way to live!
Never A Dull Moment is a NEW Mom blogger I just met IRL! She is such a wise and sweet woman. I know you will love her if you get to go over and check out her blog for yourself!!
Growing in Grace Magazine is counting down to the final results of the Homeschool Blog Awards and we want YOUR vote! You only have til Friday!
We have a special treat for you! If you vote for GGM at HSBAPost's Awards Page for Best Family/Group Blogand promote the vote to your friends we'll enter you in for a chance to win a $20 Toys R Us Gift Certificate to use for the holidays and a CD of the PDF versions of all our issues from 2008! **When we win, you win!
Please support The Homesteading Carnival by checking out the links at Y2-K Hippie. You can also participate in the Homesteading Carnival each week by sending your submission. The THC was created to bring together homesteaders from all over the world, each week, and share things from their homesteads. Not just about gardening and barn-animals, but about life on the homestead in every aspect.
Rachel is giving away two nice prizes - well, three, actually.
Creativity Express - This is a program that lets kids explore the world of art, digitally. It ‘guides you through creativity building projects… right on your computer! With your own art materials right there!” This is a great beginners art program, for those who want to do computer and blog graphics.
My Book Of Colouring At The Zoo- This is a book from Kumon. If you have a child, or a younger sibling who enjoys playing and drawing with crayons, then this book will help to encourage that. It’s for ages 3 & 4. This book could also be used as a part of schooling, helping to remember colours and mazes.
Be sure to send in your submissions to the next Carnival of Homeschooling. It will be hosted at Tami’s Blog on November 18. Submissions are due in by 9pm EST on Monday.
Monday, July 14, 2008 - The Homesteading Carnival: Southern Sunsets Edition
Welcome to the Southern Sunsets Edition of The Homesteading Carnival. We took a great vacation last month, and I enjoyed snapping shots of the Southern/Southwestern skies. We have a lot of really great entries this week, so take some time and enjoy them!
Jocelyn is Feelin’ Feminine on the homestead, and she has issued a challenge for all who care to participate: Feelin’ Feminine - What’s Your Story?. Read her story about why she wears skirts almost all the time and how she lives on a homestead wearing them at A Pondering Heart.
Paul Suarez Jr. is blogging his travels across the country with his family. You can read daily/hourly Updates from His Trip via his Blackberry and see the beautiful pictures from all over.
July 12th is Paper Bag Day. “Excuse me ma’am, but would you like paper or plastic.” You might hear that whenever you go to the grocery store. Lady Olivia shares some ideas for using paper bags for crafts and shares a neat link with us at Growing in Grace Magazine.
Dora Renee’ Wilkerson presents Y-2K Hippie: 07/07/08 posted at Knitting, horses, and my family.
My mother came for a visit and made this really easy and tasty cake with my daughter. I thought some of you may enjoy it.
Amanda is making Fried Green Beans all over the country! Check out her recipe and the picture of her cookin’ in LA!
SeaBird presents crafts for young children posted at SeaBird Chronicles. You must go over and read all of the great ideas she has for fun times with your Littles this summer! She has pictures too!
Kendra presents When life gives you cherry plums? posted at A Sonoma Garden.
Sometimes the tastiest food is food we find in the wild. When my husband decided to can these strange cherry plums I thought he had gone bananas, but now we can jar after jar of this jam every year!
I absolutely love Laura Williams’ idea to give each child their own raised bed to care for! I so wanted to do that this year. Boy did that two-week vacation and planning cut into our garden this year! That and the chickens! Read about Laura’s summer as she presents Around the Homestead Today… posted at Laura Williams’ Musings.
GP presents Inn Your Comfort Zone posted at Manely Montana Memories-Come on Inn.
Ah summertime and the livin’ is easy… or is supposed to be. Unlike what you ‘re most likely to read about going out of your comfort zone… now ’s the time to go inn to it instead… Hmmm you thinks.. Trust me I’m going somewhere with this.
Robin at Heart at Home shares Another Use for a Leaf Blower. Ever think of using your leaf blower to clean the garage, barn, or patio? She tells that she “dusted” and “swept” our horse barn and metal storage building with a leaf blower. “No more sweeping yucky cobwebs on my head!”
Rachel is at home, Just Bein’ A Country Girl. She has, for the past few days, been letting the does out to eat the apples that are right next to the barnyard. She also found a giant egg last night that has two yokes in it.
ElCloud of ElCloud Homestead who admits she is not a country girl was raised in towns and on military bases. She has never been in 4-H and I have never raised poultry. Her pets were limited to fish, one bird, cats, and dogs. She asks, “How did I End Up With This Job?“.
Jonash of Two of A Kind, Working on A Full House reminisces about her Apple IIE. About 17 or 18 years ago, her dad brought home their first computer, an Apple IIE,. Come reminisce with Ashley.
Cameo, a ten year old Country Girl, shares about Frogs and Toads and shows pictures of her new frog, Beans.
Marsha, at Clutter Control Freak Blog, lets us in on her Favourite Organising Tools #9: Baskets. Baskets are a great way to organize, and she shows us some ideas on how to use them!
Sherry, of Large Family Mothering, gives us a peek into her days as a homeschooling mom of fourteen in My life, and other things. Sewing, teaching, reading, managing… take a peek in yourself!
That’s all for this weeks Homesteading Carnival! If you would like to participate in next week’s carnival, please be sure to send your submission in! For future carnivals, please be sure to check out The Hosting Schedule. Thanks to Jocelyn, for putting time into this carnival. It is fun and encouraging and informational to have all of these links put into a carnival!
Saturday, April 26, 2008 - Saturday Psalm & Praise: What A Day That Will Be
Earthquakes… (CNN) — Midwest Quake Felt Far and Wide - April 18, 2008 - People nearly 900 miles away felt a magnitude-5.2 earthquake that shook southern Illinois early Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of major damage after the predawn quake, which struck at 4:36 a.m. (5:36 a.m. ET). “Everything shook,” “I thought the building was going to collapse.” Famine… Food Crisis Spreads Across the Globe. Rice Shortage Triggers 50% Increase in Two Weeks - April 6, 2008 - Rising food prices has transformed food into an international political issue. Riots have erupted in Egypt, Haiti and Bangladesh over soaring food prices. People fought one another over bags of rice in West Africa. The causes and the solutions to the food crisis are complex.
Yes, we see the signs.. our Saviour is coming soon! I just love the song, "Days of Elijah" Let us raise our voice and proclaim.. make way for the Lord!!!
I belong to a most excellent Goat Yahoo Group. These goat friends are there for us all the time. We are all there for each other. If you own goats, I would encourage you to join their groups.
Monday, April 7, 2008 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCYLILLIE!!
Today, our Little sweetheart is a year old!! We are all in shock. Truly!! This year has really blown by! God is so good in placing this little sweetie in our home.
Lucy, we all hope you have the best birthday today! You are such a joy in our lives.
There will be several tributes to our Little Girlie for her special day, so we will be linking them as they are posted! We will also be adding pictures too!
Happy Birthday Loolie. We are all so proud of you!!
Wow. It has been a year. A year. And I love you more now than I did then, though I don't know how that is possible. It is 3 am here now, on the 7th. Last year at this time, I was just starting to have the hard contractions. I woke up after a bit of rest and woke up the midwife. It was time.
29 minutes later, we met you for the first time. Our little girl. Jocelyn and I knew you were going to be a girl. We were ready for one. You were so tiny. And content. You nursed well and were so sweet. The next weeks were full of joy and trying desperately to figure out a name for you!!
And now, a year later, you are still so sweet and content. I cannot believe a year has passed.
You are such a little baby doll still. So smart and loving.
You let Caleb grab you around the neck and give you all the hugs he wants, and you hardly make a peep.
I love your little delicate fingers and the way you sing with me, reaching the right pitches and stopping and holding the words you can't even speak yet. Your words are only understood by us, but I know you understand so much more than you can tell us yet! We love your aaaah when you say yes and the way you have started shaking your head yes and no.
Had we ever put you down sooner, I am sure you would be running around by now, but we all want to hold you, so it is a small sacrifice.
Besides, to see you stand from crouching is so fun, and you do it so well now. We are anticipating those first real steps.
But don't expect to be put down too much just because you start walking. We will still be holding you all the time!
I cannot even say how you have captured your Daddy's heart. To see his eyes light up and a huge smile on his face each time he sees you and the way he just watches you is priceless.
You simply light up the room, my little darling!
You remind me of each of your brothers and sisters, and it is a joy to have you.
I love to see you raise your hands to go to your sister or lay your head sweetly on Eric's shoulder as he sings to you. What a blessing.
Our times together nursing are so vey precious to me, and they will be kept in my heart forever.
To look into your eyes, to feel your little hand on my face or to watch you doze off to sleep, it is our time, and I love gazing at you.
Thank you Lord, for this precious gift you have given us. Thank you for loaning her to us to teach her and love her and be blessed by her presence. It is truly humbling to know, my dear little Loolie, that you are God's and I get the privilege of having you here. I truly do not deserve you.
I will tell you that you are in great company too. God has filled this home with great children, your sisters and brothers, to love you and teach you and care for you. You will never be alone or unloved. God put you in exactly the right place at the exact right time.
I am still as overjoyed and in love with you, Little Girlie, as I ever was. You are a light in our lives. I can't wait to watch you grow and see what God has planned in your life. I love you my dear. Love you. Love you. Love you!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - For Sale: Books, CDs, Other - Oh, and Goats!
Time to get rid of a lot of items that we have had sitting around our home, waiting for an Ebay listing. We are planning to move in the near future, so we must remove a lot! This will be a friendly way to get rid of some of it and bless you with items you may not be able to afford from somewhere else. I tried to cover all the bases, so have a look-see and Email Me if you need to.
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Shipping: See Item categories.
Shipping Insurance is $1.35 for each $50 purchase.
PLEASE understand that I am guesstimating on shipping, and if I am off, I will pay it, but if I am waaaaaay off, I will contact you and offer you the new shipping rate, ok?
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If you have any questions at all about any of these items, please email me. Many of the movies were given to us, and I know they are in great shape, but I cannot vouch for the content of any of the movies, of course! :) The Vision Forum items are leftovers from when we sold homeschool books and supplies. We no longer endorse VF.
Also, please give me a day or two to contact you about an item. First emails are first-served, so no worries there. I will also let you know if the item is already sold in email RE: Please Email any offers; I am open to fair offers.
Thanks!
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Also note that I will be adding to this list as I go through and find more.
I know I have more homeschooling books here somewhere....
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CATEGORY: BOOKS
SHIPPING for first book is $2.00 Media Mail or First Class, depending on weight. Priority Mail is $4.60 base rate for one book. Additional books:
Media Mail Each additional book is 0.50.
Priority Mail $2.00 for each additional, up to $8.95 for flat rate box.
Desecration - Anti-Christ Takes the Throne
Book 9 in the Left Behind Series HCDJ
Tim LaHaye Jerry Jenkins
$1.00
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things
Beth Moore HCDJ
$1.00 SOLD
Ten Lies About God
And How You Might Already Be Deceived
Erwin W. Lutzer HCDJ
$1.00
The Kingdom of God is a Party
Tony Campolo HCDJ
$1.00
The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers
Gary Chapman
$1.00 SOLD
NEW Experiencing Community Small Group Study Guide
Thom Corrigan ~ Navpress
78pp; includes Leader's Appendix
$1.00
Character ~ Who You Are When No One Is Looking
Bill Hybels
6 studies for groups or individual
Includes Guidelines for Leaders and Study Notes
$1.00
Your Family Time with God
John Maxwell HCDJ
$1.00
So Much More
Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin
HCDJ , Vision Forum
Like New
$8.00
The Prayer of Jabez Devotional
Bruce Wilkinson
$1.00
The Prayer of Jabez
Bruce Wilkinson
$1.00
Yucatan Deep
Tom Morrisey
softcover. used.
$1.00
I Spy Spooky Night A Book of Picture Riddles
New Condition; Name in face plate on inside cover
0590481371
Cartwheel Books Scholastic Inc.
$1.00
Moments Together for Couples HCDJ
Devotions for drawing to God & one another
Dennis & Barbara Rainey
0830717544 ?90000
$1.00
HOMESCHOOLING BOOKS MORE COMING~ I FOUND A BOX! :)
Some of the bigger books (Lesson plans and TE), I have added a dollar, because they are quite heavy and more to ship.
+ADDED+K-grade
K God's World A Beka Science Series
Student Text 16454 2nd Edition
ret. $8.95 $2.00
K God's World A Beka Science Series
Student Text 16454 2nd Edition
ret. $8.95 $2.00
+ADDED+1st Grade
A Beka Health Safety, Manners 1
Student Text Reader Second Edition 54089003
ret. $9.95 $5.00
A Beka Discovering God's World Science 1
Student Text Reader Third Edition 50512
(bottom has very minimal humidity wrinkling)
ret. $9.95 $5.00
+ADDED+2nd Grade
Letters/Sounds 2 Teacher Edition Test Key
Third Edition 20621003
ret. $7.15 $2.00
Arithmetic 2 Teacher Edition
41718004
ring-bound answer key to text. front cover is bent
ret. $21.15 $10.00
+ADDED+3rd Grade
A Beka Reading 3 Curriculum and Lesson Plans
with Phonics Review 75485004
ret. $25.00 $11.00
A Beka History 3 Curriculum and Lesson Plans
Our American Heritage 76848003
ret. $11.00 $5.00
A Beka Arithmetic 3 Curriculum and Lesson Plans
75507003
top corner of binding torn
ret. $30.00 $12.00
A Beka Arithmetic 3 Teacher Key to work text
Fourth Edition 54798007
ring-bound answer key to student text. front cover missing
ret. $21.15 $10.00
A Beka Language 3 Teacher Edition
Third Edition 36455007
ring-bound answer key to student text
ret. $23.00 $11.00
A Beka Language 3 Teacher Test Key
Teacher Edition Third Edition 36471008
key to student tests
ret. $9.15 $2.00
A Beka Science & Health Curriculum and Lesson Plans 3
for Health Safety and Manners 3 and Exploring God's World 3
Some highlighting and back cover bent 7692003
ret. $15.00 $7.00
A Beka Health Safety and Manners 3
Test Quizzes and Worksheet Key
Second Edition 58130007
ret. $9.15 $2.00
A Beka Exploring God's World Science 3 3rd Edition
Student Text 57312007
Used. There are some erased answers.
ret.11.95 $5.00 SOLD
A Beka Exploring God's World Science 3 3rd Edition
Answer Key to Text 58610010
ret.6.15 $2.00 SOLD
A Beka Exploring God's World Science 3 3rd Edition
Teacher Edition Test, Quzzes, Worksheet Key 58130007
ret.9.15 $2.00 SOLD
A Beka Health Safety and Manners 3 2nd Edition
Student Text 58106007 $5.00 SOLD
A Beka Health Safety and Manners 3 2nd Edition
Answer Key to Student Text 58629012
$2.00 SOLD
+ADDED+4th Grade
A Beka God's Gift of Language A (4) SET
*Writing and Grammar Tests (Some writing erased)
Second Edition 61131004
*Writing and Grammar Test Key
Second Edition 61158002
ret. $13.65 $7.00
A Beka Spelling and Vocabulary 4 Student Test Book
Student Tests Book Second Edition 60054004
-4 pages of erased answers
ret. $4.60 $1.50
A Beka Spelling and Vocabulary 4 Student Test Book
Student Tests Book Second Edition 60054002
-8 pages of erased answers
ret. $4.60 $1.50
A Beka Spelling and Vocabulary 4 Teacher's Test Key
(NOT the same as student books above)
(probably) First Edition 44784
ret. $9.15 $2.00
A Beka Arithmetic 4 Teacher Curriculum
Second Edition (Brown book) 43737
ret. $30.00 $7.00
McGraw-Hill Learning Materials
Spectrum Writing Grade 4
Main ideas, Sequence, Cause and Effect, Details, Comparison, Facts and Opinions, Making Your Point
This is used. Almost all of Unit 1 is missing.
There is no writing on the remainder.
The back cover is bent.
Includes answer key in back.
$1.00
+ADDED+5th Grade
A Beka Spelling and Vocabulary Tests 5 SET
*Student Tests Book Second Edition 60321002
-1 page of erased answers
*A Beka Spelling and Vocabulary Tests 5 Teacher Key
Second Edition 60348002
ret. $13.65 $7.00
A Beka Arithmetic 5 Tests & Speed Drills Key
Third Edition 26220003
ret. $9.15 $2.00
used A Beka Spelling & Vocabulary 6 Student Tests 60372002
3 Lessons of answers in pencil with ink corrections
ret. $4.60 $1.50
A Beka Arithmetic 6 Teacher's Edition
ring-bound Third Edition 61859001
paper cover is tearing from ring a bit
sticker mark on cover
ret. $21.15 $11.00
+ADDED+10th Grade
A Beka Grammar and Composition IV Test and Quizzes Key
Third Edition 76252001
ret. $9.15 $2.00
HOMESCHOOLING-OTHER
SHIPPING is as specified
These are mini flash cards with the Bible story on the back.
Please note the size is MINI: 3 1/4"x 4 1/2"
A Beka Book Flash-A-Card Miniature Set #1
1997 #17221
Heaven- A Beautiful Place
Adam-How Sin Began
$5.00
SHIPPING is $2.00 Media Mail, $4.60 Priority Mail
A Beka Book Flash-A-Card Miniature Set #2
1995 MFSB SS/B
Crucifixion
Resurrection
Growing Spiritually
$5.00
SHIPPING is $2.00 Media Mail, $4.60 Priority Mail
CATEGORY: CDs
SHIPPING for first CD is $2.00 Media Mail or First Class, shipping class depends on weight. Priority Mail is $4.60 base rate. Additional CDs: Media Mail $0.50 for each CD thereafter.
Priority Mail $1.00 for each CD thereafter.
Vision Forum *PRICES EDITED*
$5.00 NEW Defending the Fatherless CD
$5.00 NEW Defending the Fatherless CD
$5.00 Like New Defending the Fatherless CD
$5.00 NEW The Blessed Marriage CD
$5.00 NEW The Role of the Grandfathers in Local Church CD
$5.00 NEW The Role of the Women in Local Church CD
$5.00 NEW The Role of the Women in Local Church CD
$5.00 NEW What's A Girl To Do? CD
$5.00 NEW Jennie B. and the Pilot CD
$5.00 NEW How to Evaluate a Suitor CD
$5.00 NEW How To Think Like A Christian
$5.00 NEW What Expect When Establishing a Local Church CD
$5.00 NEW What Expect When Establishing a Local Church CD
$5.00 NEW The Joy of Family Worship RC Sproul
$5.00 NEW The Joy of Family Worship RC Sproul
$5.00 NEW The Home as a Factory of Church Leaders Scott
$5.00 NEW The Home as a Factory of Church Leaders Scott
$5.00 NEW A Biblical Vision for Multi-Generational Faithfulness Einwechter
$5.00 NEW A Biblical Vision for Multi-Generational Faithfulness Einwechter
$5.00 NEW Weapons of Our Warfare: Truth Sproul
$5.00 NEW Weapons of Our Warfare: Truth Sproul
$5.00 NEW Weapons of Our Warfare: Beauty Sproul
$5.00 NEW Weapons of Our Warfare: Beauty Sproul
$5.00 NEW Hollywood's Despised Villian Botkin
$5.00 NEW Pilgrims vs. Indians CD
$5.00 NEW Making Wise Decisions About College CD
$5.00 NEW Making Wise Decisions About College CD
$5.00 NEW How Modern Churches Are Harming Families CD
$5.00 NEW How Modern Churches Are Harming Families CD
$5.00 NEW Home School Vision Victory CD
$5.00 NEW Home School Vision Victory CD
$5.00 NEW 6000 Years Earth History CD
$5.00 NEW Women and Children First CD
$5.00 NEW Women and Children First CD
$5.00 NEW The Promise Phillips CD
$5.00 NEW Rebuilding A Culture of Virtuous Boyhood CD
$5.00 NEW Discovering Life Purpose CD
$5.00 NEW Discovering Life Purpose CD
$10.00 NEW Victory for Daughters CD
$10.00 NEW Victory for Daughters CD
$10.00 NEW Victory for Daughters CD
$10.00 NEW The Spotless Bride CD
$10.00 NEW The Spotless Bride CD
$9.00 Like NEW The Spotless Bride CD
$10.00 NEW The Heroism of the Fathers is the Legacy of the Sons CD
+ADDED+ $10.00 Give Me Your Heart, My Son, Vision Forum conference
This is a set of 8 cassettes and has been listened to.
SHIPPING on this item is $4.00 Media Mail or $4.60 Priority Mail
$10.00 Building a Family That Will Stand Vision Forum Conference
This is a set of 8 cassettes and has been listened to.
SHIPPING on this item is $4.00 Media Mail or $4.60 Priority Mail
MUSIC CDs
The Prince of Egypt CD
Music from the movie.
$1.00 SOLD
Real Life Music CD 1996
Used CD
Amy Grant, Bryan Duncan, Michael Card,
Amy Morriss, Grover Levy, Crystal Lewis,
Guardian, Anointed, Greg Long, Jaci Velasquez
$1.00
Music You Can Believe In CD 1995
Used CD.
Clay Crosse, Wes King, Brent Bourgeois,
Church of Rhythm, Carolyn Arends,
Michael W. Smith, Ashley Cleveland,
Michael James, Ian, Rich Mullins
$1.00
Mercy Me - Almost There
like new CD.
$1.00
People Get Ready CD
Like new CD.
Crystal Lewis, Geoff Moore, Rebecca St. James,
dc Talk, Margaret Becker, Barry McGuire, The Impressions,
Big Tent Revival, Rich Mullins, Audio Adrenaline,
Michael W. Smith, Al Green
$1.00
CATEGORY: VIDEOS and DVDs
SHIPPING for first video is $2.00 Media Mail or First Class, depending on weight. Priority Mail is $4.60 base rate for one video.
Additional Videos/DVDs:
Media Mail $0.50 for each thereafter.
Priority Mail $1.00 for each thereafter.
The Prince of Egypt VHS video
Used. Plays fine. Clamshell case is crushed.
$1.00
BibleMan DVD The Incredible Force of Joy
Used. Plays fine. No insert.
$1.00
Hercules - Walt Disney
ISBN: 0-7888-0584-3
clamshell case
$1.00
Dumbo - Walt Disney
ISBN: 12257-0240-3
clamshell case
$1.00
Toy Story 2 - Walt Disney
ISBN: 0-7888-2454-6
clamshell case
Very good condition
$1.00 SOLD
Mary Poppins - Walt Disney
ISBN: 0-7888-2220-9
clamshell case
Very good condition
$1.00 SOLD
Walt Disney's Masterpiece Lady and the Tramp
0788812807
clamshell case
$1.00
Walt Disney's Masterpiece Robin Hood
1558901892
83m rated:G
clamshell case
Very good condition
$1.00 SOLD
Top Hat
Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers VHS
b/w 99m
Classic Romance
1980
$1.00
Shall We Dance
Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers VHS
b/w 108m
Classic Romance
$1.00
Irving Berlin's White Christmas
3775725429
1954
$1.00
The Bishop's Wife
The Classic Collection Samuel Goldwyn Home Entertainment
Cary Grant Loretta Young David Niven
Classic Romance
$1.00
An Affair To Remember
Cary Grant Deborah Kerr
Classic Romance
1957
nr
$1.00
We also have a doeling for sale.
Eamane
Full-blooded Nubian
DOB: 3-25-07
Never bred. Mother is a good milker.
$100.00
I will get good pictures up soon, as well as their measurements. You can click on the photo above to see a bigger one. It is from last year. I just put it on so you can see the bucks' coloring.
My Mother turned 60 yesterday. Had I been up on this, I could have had it published for her birthday! Anyway, I have always been late on things like this. My Mom, on the other hand, would have sent a card out last week, scanned pictures, written a great tribute and posted it fifteen minutes early, because she always arrives fifteen minutes early
Thursday, February 28, 2008 - We Had to Take Caleb to the Hospital...
For those of you who don't know, we took Caleb to the hospital yesterday morning about 7am. He was shivering, and his skin was splotchy. When I took him into the bathroom light to get a closer look, he was just so hot. We took his temp, and his fever was about 106' under the arm. I gave him some motrin. He has no problem drinking water at all, so he was not dehydrated. I figured out that the shivering was good, that it is just his body trying to cool itself.
Matt got up very shortly afterward to go to work, and I told him what was going on, and we decided to go to the hospital. I took his temperature again with another thermometer, because Matt could not believe his temp was that high, and it was the same. His temp was at 105' when we left.
Read the rest:Update on Caleb
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - Moving: Don't Know When, Don't Know Where
I have been looking again at farms, ranches, and land out west. All last year, we looked in Arizona just north of Phoenix for property prices, kept an eye on weather during different seasons and read up on homeschool laws. Now, I am looking at Texas. Our goal is to be near New Mexico, but not in the actual state of. Problem is that our parents live in Las Cruces, which is in the southmost central area of the state. We lived in NM 11 years ago. I have homeschooled there, and I am not interested in living there and homeschooling. Let me correct that: we are not interested. Matt totally agrees.
No, NM is not a red state with a bunch of rules and regulations, but Texas is right next door, and the laws there are better. I do feel that if we are moving all of that way, then we need to be within a six hour drive at least. I would like to be within and hour drive, but that would put us in El Paso, and we are not at all interested in living there.
How great is that that we are looking at Texas? I would imagine that Eric is pretty excited. It is his goal to own a huge cattle ranch in Texas someday. No, we do not have cattle. We have goats. and chickens. (I think the horses are finally going this week!) He does have a Guide to Raising Cattle and is interested, so I am letting him run with it. We will see what God has in store there.
Considering the work we have to finish on our home to have it ready to sell, we have a bit of time to look and pray and wait for God to speak His will into our hearts. We miss our parents. We have longed to move there and away from this cold winter weather since last year. I still remember Matt coming home in April when it snowed again after having been 80' weather the week or so before, and he said he was ready to move. He hates delivering mail in this bitter cold. LucyLillie was just a week old, so we figured we wouldn't be moving until this year anyway. Now it is this year, and I am hoping to not be in this same room, typing these same words next year.
Though I will hate to go. I love this little old farmhouse and the big red barn. I love the giant maple tree and the beautiful woodwork and the pocket door and our oval window entry doors. I love the Morning Glory that climbs the windmill tower over the well. I love it that Isaac, Caleb and Lucy were born here. This is the longest we have lived in one place, and it has certainly grown on me. I hate the carpet and these old walls that you can hardly put a nail into, but I look at Eric and see all that barn has been in his life skills, and well, can you tell I am a bit sentimental? Just a little?
Let's not even talk about all of the work we have all put into the new addition that is still unfinished and may be until we move. I sure would like to live in it for a few months though. I suppose we will see.
I know Mom is tired of hearing and waiting on us moving down there, though I know she understands. All the work to do and little time to finish the addition. And, with each change of season, a new challenge crops up. And then a year passes...
All I know is that Jocelyn said she certainly hopes we move before summer, because she does not want to move the dog cage all over the yard again to feed the goats. I agree. Either move or put up fencing.
That is at the top of my list, too: fencing. We must buy property that is already fenced. None of this chase the goats all over the property stuff.
I am thankful that God is in control of this. when I made the 4-state comparison chart the other night of the homeschool laws (yes, I am one of those kind of people), it about drove me bonkers looking at those and looking at the map of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona on mapquest. "Who in the world knows?" is all I could come up with. Add to that Amanda and her, "I am not moving to Texas," and Jocelyn, who took some convincing with some of the beautiful and lush flat land, river and grazing pictures I found. Matt is pretty open, I think. He is easy-going like that, though. Boy, I wish I were.
this blog entry Jacque! It was a bit uncanny to read, you sound very much like us. The way you referred to homeschool laws (the red states), and watching weather patterns (that is so much like us) and then looking at mapquest.. just giggling over here.
This is Theresa, (Harvestmom) not Jessica (TeaFlower).. she must have used my computer and it just doesn't log out!
Blessings, Theresa
Our family moved 3000 miles to the other side of the country. It has been a great learning experience for all of us. We've learned about a different culture, way of life, weather conditions, current and historical events of this state. You have a great adventure ahead of you. It sounds like it will be a lot of work to move with a family your size. We only have 7 in our family.
http://ellenfunlearning.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - The 36th Homesteading Carnival: It's An Education Edition
Tia did a wonderful job on this week's carnival. She is always has something amusing to say and really made this carnival something! So what does the homesteading carnival have to do with homeschooling?? Tia knows... check it out: 36th Carnival of Homesteading ~ It's an Education
I hope you'll join next week for the 37th Homesteading Carnival, which will be hosted at quietcajun's and if you are so inclined you could write up a post and enter it here. Just add your entry URL and it will add all your info for you! Then push send! I hope to see you then!!
Friday, February 8, 2008 - Murphy's Law of Pipes and Propane
Murphy's Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
From Wednesday:
Today has been quite the day. I awoke this morning to a frantic son, Eric, telling me to please get up now and come down to the basement, that it was an emergency. The pipe in the basement was broken and there was water shooting out of the well in the basement. Leave it to Eric to break the pipe and flood the basement on the day we have received more rain and our town and so many around us are completely flooded. I am smiling as I type that.
Great. So, now what? This is only something else to add to the dog's lacerated paw, for which I have been caring for since a week ago Monday. She cannot walk on it (she could, except is will pull the skin apart), so she must be taken out to to go to the bathroom, hopping on one paw. She has to stay in her little pen all day, laying down, keeping off of it. We have had to pay constant attention to it being cleaned and covered and her not licking it... Is the bandaging too tight? Did she eat the bandage?
Thursday, January 24, 2008 - Contest for Comeback Kids Sports books ages 8-11
Now for my contest:
Mike Lupicia has also written two books about The Comeback Kids. I am giving away 4 sets of The Comeback Kids by author Mike Lupicia (each set is 2 books).
"Dedication, teamwork and heart make Mike Lupica's Comeback Kids series a touchdown for young readers. Meet basketball great Billy Raynor (Hot Hand) and star drop-kicker Scott Parry (Two-Minute Drill). Both boys strive to be team players on and off the playing field. However, when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, each character must reinvent his strategy if he wants to keep playing the game."
This series is recommended for readers between ages 8 to 11. Each subsequent title will feature a new protagonist, sport and challenge to overcome. Look out for future Comeback Kids books soon!
To enter the contest to win the books, all you have to do is leave me a comment. Please link your blog or your email or both in your comment. If you want an extra entry, blog about the contest or link the icon in your sidebar and leave me a second comment telling me so with the direct link to your post or that it is in your sidebar.
You must be at least 18 years of age and live in the U.S. You can read official contest rules HERE. The contest will end Jan. 26 at midnight EST, so leave a comment now!
Make sure you leave me a link I can contact you with. I will be letting you know through that link that you've won.
Do do sports?? This would make a great gift for nephews or friends!
blessings!
Leave A Comment! *This takes you to Seeking Rest in The Ancient Paths/HSB
Thursday, January 10, 2008 - Winter Reading Challenge; MamaArcher's Giveaway
WINTER READING CHALLENGE
Click on the icon for the link. It's not really a contest, but Trish is giving away a $25 Amazon gift certificate to one participant!
You need to read her original post so you know what to do, like sign Mr. Linky with a direct link to your post once you've had a chance to make a list of the books you intend to read between January 7 and March 17, 2008. Also, As an added incentive, she will be sending one lucky participant a $25 gift certificate to (where else?) Amazon.com. she'll do a random drawing from the names of everyone who posts both an initial list by Monday, February 11, 2008 and a post about their results at the end of the challenge. The drawing will be held Monday, March 17, 2008 sometime in the evening. The winner's name will be posted after the drawing. :)
Also, MamaArcher is having a giveaway! To enter, leave a comment. If you want a second entry, please post about his on your blog & link back to this post. Please leave a second comment HERE with the url of that post. The last day for entries is February 3rd. The winner will be announced on Feb. 4th. Good luck & spread the word! She is offering the following book:
Upper Grade Phonics by Joyce Codesa, Sarah McFadden Fornara, Jan Martin, and Norm Sneller
Thursday, January 10, 2008 - Are You Home-Schooling?
What exactly does homeschooling mean? Does it mean at schooling at home all day? Or for the school hours the public school system sets? Does it mean out of public school and instead schooling at home? Is it a locational thing? Can a family homeschool on the road?
These are all things I have heard mentioned in homeschooling circles and spoken about myself. I don't know if there is a clear-cut answer in all cases. Some families homeschool very well traveling the states or the world, keeping their family strong and teaching their children as they go. For some families, that would be a monumental disaster.
I used to think I could homeschool our children whether we were home or not...
"The LORD will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore." (Psalm 121:7 & 8)
Our God is a strong and mighty tower. He is able to deliver His people. He is watching over my life: my coming and my going, as well as the coming and going of our children.
When you are on the tail-end of a two-week-long bout with winter colds, sore throats and hacking coughs, it is a comfort to know God is able. Period. He is able. When tears come because of your toddler's fever and your own lack of sleep, and the baby who never even whimpers is crying and having trouble sleeping, I can have a peace.
When circumstances change family relationships or jobs; when friendships or even daily life is forever altered, we can hold onto Him who will keep us from all harm and is watching over our coming and our going. Life is a constant change. For the Believer, it must be. We must constantly allow God to shape and mold us, chipping away at the things that keep us from Him, showing us what we need to know.
The year 2007 brought so many changes into our lives. Good changes. Unexpected changes that God is surely in. As we left 2007 and entered into 2008, changes were still happening. It is a natural thing. It is not always an easy thing, but usually a necessary one. I hope in 2008 that I can hold onto this blessing from Psalms. I hope I can remember as we move or stay here that He is watching over our coming and our going. As we grow and allow God to direct our steps, making plans He may change, I am thankful God has shown me this promise in His Word.
We serve a mighty God. It is sometimes hard to praise Him only on His merits alone, because He has so enveloped us in His Word and His very being as His own. Thank you Lord for undeserved mercy, love and grace.
Saturday, January 5, 2008 - GOOT Garlic Oil Salve for What Ails You
I will have you know that we have been using this remedy for a few years, and this is the first actual recipe I found for it. I am glad I found it, because my recipe is for olive oil and garlic, and I chopped it instead of putting it into the blender/food processor. I just leave the garlic chinks in mine, and I notice it does get stronger as it ages.
I love this list of all of the ailments this mixture can be used for. We put it into little noses today as well as into ears, and I can already see a marked improvement.
GOOT Garlic Oil Treatment
Anti-infective/Anti-fungal/Anti-parasites
MAKING GOOT
Warm three tablespoons of Coconut oil over stove until melted and add three tablespoons of olive oil. Remove from heat and add three tablespoons of fresh chopped garlic. Blend at slow speed, then at high speed for two minutes. Use a blender or coffee grinder. Pour mixture through a screen to remove chunks of garlic that the blender may have missed. Pour into a wide mouth jar and label it "GOOT." Place in a refrigerator.
Freshly made, the mixture is a milky color and runny. GOOT turns into a thick soft paste after one hour. The one on the right is after being in the fridge for several hours. It is just hard like a salve easy to spread.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
GOOT, rubbed into the skin, transfers raw garlic oil directly into the blood stream.
Apply on the feet of children or infants to fight infections. Rub on chest for chest colds, pneumonia or rub into nostrils for sinus infections. Place on cotton swab for ear infections. Apply directly to sores inside the mouth. Rub on Athlete's foot or genital area for jock itch. Insert GOOT into affected area for yeast or other related infections. Apply on rashes any place. GOOT kills Candida, parasites, bad bacteria and virus by direct application.
In addition, it treats systemic infections by absorption through the skin into the blood supply and travels throughout the body. After two weeks, make a new batch of GOOT.
Most of this information is from MelissaDSC GOOT Recipe. Thank you Melissa, for this info. I am putting it on here in entirety for record, in case the original page is ever gone.
Thanks so much for sharing this! Can I copy it onto a Word document to save for my personal use?
Karen
www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog
www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
Hi! I saw your blog address at another HB, and was intrigued to find out exactly what Goot was, so I clicked the link and arrived to your "home." This is a beautiful blog, and I have enjoyed reading your posts.Thank you so much for sharing your recipe, and may you be richly blessed!
God bless, Mistypearl
Monday, December 31, 2007 - The Homesteading Carnival #31 and Thank You
I am happy to say I will be hosting the 31st Homesteading Carnival tomorrow - er, today. I will be hosting it on my Homeschool Blog. Although it is too late for me to ask you to submit a post, I am sure that Catherine Love~ Ramblings from my Heart and Home will be thrilled for you to flood the Homesteading Carnival Email with your submissions, as she is hosting it this next week. Please have them in by 9pmEST on Sunday evening.
Thank you to all who commented on my To Christmas or Not To Christmas?post. I wanted to post about it for my own record, but in a non-argumentative way. Topics like that - homeschooling, breastfeeding, home birth - seem to be ones that invoke defensive feelings on both sides.
Celebrating Christmas is a decision that we do not want to just jump into and regret stomping over God's will and family traditions, while still desiring to live a holy life for Him. It's hard to find that middle place between being self-righteously over-zealous and complacently wanting what I want. But... it's where we need to live, and I so desire it.
I appreciated all of the information and encouragement, as well as the other posts I have found on the same subject. It almost reminds me of what I am finding out about the whole voting in the Primaries: There are a lot of people in the same boat - or mindset, but we don't know it until we speak up about it.
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - The Mom Song and Lyrics
Oh my word! I found this last night on a blog, and we have watched it about 20x today. Even though I am way behind on finding it... It is still hilarious. And, it is sung to The William Tell Overture, otherwise known and loved in our home as "The Lone Ranger Song".
I listened to it five times last night, trying to hear everything she says. Today, we found a video with the lyrics.
Here is the Yahoo one that worked best for me: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/247.1/popup/index.php?cl=4274384
Here is the one with the lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJUY9STo6BU
This is part of a comment from one of the YouTube videos about the author of the song: "This lady is a wonder and yes she wrote it.....I met her in August in Dallas, Tx. where she lives near. She is a member of Women of Faith and this is part of her ministry." I just got an email from my friend Dianne, and here's what she had to say: "That is SO hysterical! Anita Renfroe is very funny. We got the very humorous pleasure of seeing her perform here at the end of November. She was just a scream. I got a couple more books of hers (already had a couple) and a CD. If you ever have a chance to read The Purse Driven Life or The Purse Driven Christmas, they are a riot!! We even got pix and autographs with her. You can also watch her on Bananas if you get that show - or probably even rent a Bananas video."
Here are the lyrics, in case you think you really don't need to listen to the video... I'm sure you will want to take a few minutes to listen to her sing it after reading them anyway
Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepyhead
Here's your clothes and your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now! Get up and make your bed
Are you hot? Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget! You gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don't play rough, will you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don't forget to share
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare
Get along! Don't make me come down there
Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day? Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone! Get off the phone!
Don't sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up
Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam You'll appreciate my wisdom someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait till you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate
Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate
Use your fork, do not burp or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, get the door, don't get smart with me
Get a grip, get in here, I'll count to three
Get a job, get a life, get a PHD
Get a dose of,
"I don't care who started it!
You're grounded until you're 36"
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven's sake And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too?
If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before That you're too old to act this way
It must be your father's DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straighter when you walk
A place for everything and everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on Get in bed, get up here, say a prayer with mom
Don't forget, I love you (kiss)
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because, because, because, because
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so
I'm the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!!
Friday, December 28, 2007 - Fruit of the Spirit Friday: Joy
I have really been wanting to participate in Robin's Fruit of the Spirit Friday. I have not yet found time to focus on it. I suppose I need to write more spiritual posts, but I feel that would be such a great responsibility, and I do not want to just throw one out there just to participate in a meme... even a really good one like the Fruit of the Spirit Friday meme.
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORDis your strength.
I started writing a post about Joy about a month ago. A few friends had been going through extremely rough times, and as I spoke with each of them, the word Joy resonated both times. Their trials were in exact opposition to their Joy. And it got me to thinking about the Spirit of Joy. The Fruit of Joy. It left a few questions in my mind, that, frankly, if I take time to write them out instead of clean up my house or tend to my Littles, I will know the answer to how I behave when don't have Joy! It is a much deeper study than one post.
Joy is a state of being. It is easily lost and long-sought after. It takes time to allow the Spirit to work it in your life, and many Christians have never walked in it. It is not a feeling or an attitude or a mindset. It is the Holy Spirit showing Himself through me. If He can't do that, it is because I have not given Him audience in that area of my Spirit, and I am losing some of the finest moments in my life to living a life void of Joy. I do not wish to do that.
Joy is not man-made. It is not woman-made. If given by the Holy Spirit, it should flow out of me like a song of worship to the Lord. Joy is an act of worship in my life. It is a surrendering of my own ideals and desires and even my hopes. I have a feeling joy has been squashed by myself and many Believers, because we have unreasonable expectations of how our lives should be, and when they are not that, not what we thought life was *supposed* to be, our man-made Joy goes right out the window with all the lost expectations. And we are no different than the old man we were, the sinful man underneath.
As a large homeschooling family, we either spread Joy or gloom and despair. There is no retreat in this house for individualists. We either lift each other up or pull each other down. When any of us, Mom included, try to push our own agendas or make people around us listen or do things our way, instead of reaching into each others' hearts, we will kill any Joy we have in this house. We will not always be Joyful, but when our Joy is determined by whether or not we get the correct amount of ketchup on our hot dogs, we do not truly have the Joy of the Holy Spirit.
And that is key: It has to be Joy from the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 32:11 says, "Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."
The heart has a lot to do with a Joyful Spirit. Let me say the *condition* of the heart. If we are frustrated, feeling sorry for ourselves, feeling entitled, battling sins we have been battling for years (and not submitting to God's Word in them) or just not reading our Bible, our heart is not in a position to even be joyful.
Deuteronomy tells us in verses 47 and 48 that, "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
Deuteronomy 28 is the chapter of blessings and cursings. It gives a list of blessings for God's people if they obey His Word and commandments and the cursings their lives will bring if they do not.
A selfish heart has little room for real Joy. In that case, Joy only exists in our world when things go our way. Children and adults alike. I have a four-year-old who stomps his foot. Demanding. A sense of entitlement. Having allowed this bad habit to form, when he lacks Joy, so do many in our home. Which leads to another aspect of Joy: It is contagious. Just like a lack of Joy will spread, a Spirit of Joy will also.
I want to spread Joy. I want to be Joyful at all times. I know life will bring sorrows, for that is what the Word says: There is a time for everything. But, we are to have the Joy of the Lord. I cannot fully understand that. I do not understand Jesus. Jesus. It is too incomprehensible for this human mind. I know He wanted to do what He did, to sacrifice His life for the world. I know He did this in great sorrow. But, He also did it with great Joy. Joy in the Holy Spirit; Joy in fulfilling the plan of salvation; Joy in following the Father's Will.
This tells me that I can also live my everyday life and be Joyful too. As long as I make my heart available. I too can experience Joy in the Holy Spirit; Joy in fulfilling the plan of my salvation; Joy in following the Father's Will. I pray for a better understanding of how to submit to and allow this Joy in my life.
Good post...... got me thinking about what is JOY and what are the fruits of the spirit... I believe that they are not "feelings" but truly a state of mind... as you said something that the Holy Spirit has done in our hearts and minds..... it is not fleetings and just goes away...
Thank you for sharing......it gave me some ideas about some areas in my life that I am in sin and need to once again turn over to the Lord!
Monday, December 24, 2007 - To Christmas or Not To Christmas?
Matt and I have been talking about the whole Christmas thing. I wrote a post last year about the pagan origins of Christmas, after finding out things I don't know if I am glad that I found out or not. The reason I am not surewhether I am happy that I found it all out is because we are still processing it. We are ready to give up what we are called to - as in all things - but we want to make sure we are doing it as to the Lord. It isn't a matter of belief or disbelief, it is a matter of discernment. It is a matter of taking a stand on God's foundation of something we have barely scratched the surface on. It is not a matter of not wanting to be weird or not wanting to be different. It is a matter of not being overzealous and throwing the baby out with the bath water instead of seeking Him in this area.
It is important to us to teach our children in the ways of the Lord. It is very important. That does not make us perfect or even completely doctrinally accurate, and I don't want to give the impression that we think we are. We are just a couple of thirty-something parents who love the Lord and were raised on a diet of Christmas each year. And, I love the twinkling white lights on the outside of a beautifully-set house just after a snowfall. I also love the smell of pine boughs, and decorating the tree was at least one tradition I did every year... that and Christmas dinner. I remember fondly the pictures from eight years ago my nine-month pregnant belly in the pictures of decorating the tree about a week before Hannie arrived. Sweet memories. And I think Christmas cards are beautiful. I even like making Christmas cards with the rubber stamp sets we have. Eric said tonight that we should send Christmas cards. They are fun and warm and well-wishes of love from family and friends. Who doesn't want to get that in the mail?
One down-side to not celebrating is that this is just the natural time we get our children what they need for the year. Not that we can't still ge them what they need that's on sale at this time of the year regardless. We can. This is just a good shopping time, Christmas or not. ;)
But all of those beautiful things pale in comparison to serving God fully. And, is celebrating Christmas or not celebrating Christmas serving God fully? We know some of the answers to that question, but not all.
So, we are processing all of this. We are more concerned with reading the story of Jesus' Birth in Matthew and Luke. We want to establish family traditions based on the Bible and what He is doing in our own family. We also do not want to step into rituals that are meaningless year after year when there may be a more excellent way.
I was not going to even post on this topic this year, because, like homeschooling and home birthing, it is a controversial topic that sometimes causes loving people to become angered and resentful in talking about. I do not want to anger or embitter anyone in this, nor do I want to argue, for you see, we are still on this journey, learning for ourselves.
Robin Sampson posted an excellent post on this. If you would like to read further on this, you can read her article about it, which happens to also be named To Christmas or Not To Christmas, hahaaa. It includes their 'evolution' of Christmas throughout the years, which I found interesting. I would like to do that, just as a record for our family.
Years ago the Lord did a great work on my heart about Christmas and traditions.......
We searched our hearts and prayed and prayed.....
We left behind those traditions that were simply "traditions" and we embraced actitivies that truly brought us to the feet of the Lamb......
All I can say is keeping searching your heart..... the Lord will reveal His will for your family....... I can not tell you what a difference our Christmas is now...... it is truly a JOYous season......
We eliminated santa and major gift giving. The children get 3 things on Christmas morn -- from mom & dad......
1. an ornament they can take with them when they are married
2. a book
3. and a bag of goodies from mama!
That is it...... very simple....... and they know on their bday it is "their day" ...... but Christmas is not about them......we bake a yummy cake and place candles on it and sing happy bday Jesus! The children act out the first christmas.... with props and all!
We also write love letters to Jesus on Christmas...... we place them in a box and then read them the following christmas.... I have placed them in a scrapbook.......they are precious!
This year we will be going to the veterans' home for Christmas day - caroling and showing our love and appreciation to them..... we might also stop at the nursing home for the elderly.
Christmas has become a lovely & joyous time to reflect on Christ...... there are so many ways you can do this!
Oh wonderful things await you as you turn over your heart to the Lord in this area - I believe Christmas can be a wonderful time of leading our children's heart to sup with the lamb......
~ gloria ~
Edited by blessedmomof10 on Monday, December 24, 2007 at 08:16 PM
Jacque,
I would love to give you some great profound comment on this topic but we have been struggling with this, as well. It's so hard to discern the right thing to do. However, I can't wait to see what the Lord shows you and your Hubby in this area.
Merry Christmas and blessings,
Trixi
Monday, December 24, 2007 - To Christmas or not to Christmas
Posted by Anonymous
I am so thankful you did post your thoughts on Christmas!
We are going through the same process right now. I am so blessed to see other believers truly searching for truth in this area. Many of the things on your post and the comment by Gloria were discussed at our home this very day. It's so hard, Christmas eve, we have no plans. We are waiting on the Lord for truth and direction. Difficult for a Christian raised in the world. You never realize how your body is so in tune to this time of year, how much anticipation there is, what a struggle it is to do nothing. We are being still. Waiting. Waiting, while our Christian friends wonder where we came up with these strange ideas. While my non Christian family wonder why we are robbing our children of the joy of Christmas. Yet, we wait. We began celebrating Shabbat (Sabbath) three months ago. I don't know why, we just had an urge to. We are not following exactly as a Jewish person would I'm sure. But, Oh what joy! What a blessed time in His presence! We are looking into observing the Biblical Feasts. Again, I don't know why. We continue to be drawn to learn more about our God from the Old Testament, from a Jewish persons perspective. I wonder what those Jewish fisherman thought, how they knew Jesus was the Messiah, what irresistible urge they had to follow Him, in what way they saw Him as their Almighty God, The God of the Torah and the prophets, in the flesh. And so we wait as our Lord Jesus Christ either prunes Christmas away from us or else shows us a way to bring complete honor and glory to Him only on this day. May the Lord bless you as you seek Him. Thanks again for posting today!
Waiting on Him,
Kelly
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
To have Christmas or not??
What ever you decide just keep doing it. Just don't confuse your children. I believe as long as your doing what God leads you to do you are doing the right thing!
It is so true that as we seek Him and His ways we are blessed. As a Jew who has been set free to know The Way, The Truth and The Life I would just like to encourage people to NOT follow Judaism or get any inspiration from Judaism. It is a dangerous man-made religion. Follow God's commands, be led by His Holy Spirit - not by well meaning Gentiles who don't know how dangerous Judaism and all its trappings are.
I am not Jewish but I am a follower of the Truth who has never kept Christmas or Easter. My mother was shown these truths when she was pregnant with me. I also have a friend who has gone through the same situation as yourself. They chose not to do xmas in any way whatsoever.
I can see why people just change their observance to remember Christ's birth, to continue a tradition in a new way, but God also very clearly said that we are not to profane His holy name with the ways of the heathen(pagan) Ezek.20:9,14,22,39,44; 36:20,23...In searching to follow God, would He truly want His holy name or His Son's holy name associated to a pagan day worshipping the sun god and Nimrod that, at least at one time, consisted of drunken orgies or child sacrifice? It was cleaned up and brought into the Church because they wanted to get the pagans to attend and become Christians. Their conversion was a compromise. Also, remember, the early church followers kept the Sabbath, Passover, DUB, Pentecost, and fall festivals. This did not change until after the deaths of the apostles and several of their pupils.
Christ was only half finished with us with His ultimate sacrifice, the rest will be fulfilled at His second coming after the tribulation. Until then we are to live Christ's example. We are not clean yet.
In Christian love.....
I truly appreciate the comments from each of you. I know they are well-meaning and from your hearts, and I appreciate the time you took to leave comments.
I appreciate more those of you who thought it was important to personalize your comment with your name. Anonymous comments are really hard to 'relate to'... maybe that isn't the best choice of words. It's almost like talking to someone in the dark. You want to believe or trust them, because they sound friendly, but, well, the people you can put a name to or a name and a blog to, well, those are the people who have endeared themselves and their opinions to you.
I must reply to Anonymous1, though, who said, "What ever you decide just keep doing it. Just don't confuse your children. I believe as long as your doing what God leads you to do you are doing the right thing! "
I know your thoughts are well-meaning, but I must say that as we find things out about our faith... be it sinfulness or even Christian legalism, we must change it. We are in no ways confusing our children. We adhere to the same doctrine (As the parents we are united in what we believe; it isn't a choice they make as to which one of us has the correct interpretation), however, we certainly do not want our children to think that as we recognize God's Word in a way we haven't before that we should just ignore it and continue in our 'former ways'.
If we are doctrinally wrong, we must find the right path and walk in that, denying the former ways.
Children are not confused when there are set boundaries and an explanation of changes according to their age of understanding is given, if necessary. Being a close family and discussing God and His Word and His Plan for us is an open, daily discussion in our home, and as such, it is open to the Holy Spirit showing us His ways and if ours are in error. We welcome that, and only pray that we can show our children to be cautious of being double-minded while still changing as the Lord leads us.
I do thank you for your concern of our children, but I also must caution all Christians in "being lead of God" as far as whatever being the right thing, because sometimes... ok, a *lot* of times, we Christians just rationalize why something is the right thing, without even really searching the Word. We throw a few Scriptures in there, make it sound holy and walk in the path we desire, kinda' overlooking God's real part in it.
Anonymous "Christmas": Thank you for all of the information you have shared here in these comments. I did find all of this information in my research, though I am not sure I shared all these directs Scriptures in my original post, so thank you.
This is exactly why it is so grave to be lead by God's Word. We cannot go on what we have read or been told or even 'feel'. We must have it solid in our own individual hearts. It has to be a decision that both my husband and I share, and we are thankful God is showing us these things.
Thank you again.
blessings to each of you!
Jacque
What a wonderful post! You shared with such openness and I think that is just absolutely wonderful! I understand the journey you are on right now with the issue of celebrating Christmas. We began that journey about 6 or 7 years ago. And I sometimes still find myself trying to balance it out. My hubby and I strive to please God in all we do. We want to live out our faith in every area of our lives - even celebrations like Christmas. I too was one who so looked forward to Christmas time. Many times, my Christmas lights and decorations and such were up Nov. 1st! As I came to understand the origins of Christmas, I began the journey that you are on right now.
My family and I have our own celebration that we call the Celebration of Lights. Feel free to stop by my homeschool blog and click on the category entitled "Celebration of Lights" to read about our celebration this year. My homeschool blog link is:
www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
We still get together with family if they get together for Christmas. This year, my hubby's family didn't have any family get together for Christmas like they normally do. So we went and had Christmas dinner with my hubby's parents.
I still sometimes find myself wondering where to draw the line at in this issue. I believe we all have the freedom to choose how we celebrate. But like you, if there is a more excellent way, I want to choose the more excellent way that is God honoring.
May God give both of us and our families wisdom and discernment as we continue on this journey of knowing what God would want for us to do concerning the celebration of Christmas.
Take care,
Karen
www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog
www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
It is officially winter here. The winter weather dropped an 8-1/2 inch blanket of beautiful, soft, pure white snow last night. This is not our first snowfall, just the first of any consequence. It blew quietly all night.
I looked down at the barn in the wee hours of the morning to see if I could still see the light on. On a clear night, I can see it shining through a large crack where the huge wooden frame has separated from the stone foundation. There's also a window in the stone wall that is covered by a piece of wood that has enough cracks in the old wood to see the light through when it is on. I tried to see the light from several different windows, but I couldn't. It worried me. It worried me enough that I laid Lucy in her crib and put on my winter coat and hood and trampled through 6 inches of already-fallen snow to go and check on our animals.
The warmth from the lights being the only heat for our goats and chickens, I had to make sure they were still on. As I got closer, I could see a faint glimmer through the cracks in the barn door, but continued anyway. I might as well check on them, since I went all the way out there. I guess the snow was blowing harder than I thought since I couldn't see the lights from the house. The snow I traipsed through was probably a foot deep in some places, and it was still coming down. This was at four am. I had not been in the coop at night since Matt and Eric made it smaller. I did not realize just how crowded it was. We have been working and working to spiff it up for our expected 30 hens and a handful of roosters... except that it seems that we have more hens than we expected and will either butcher hens and a few roosters or butcher a few roosters and have too many hens. As I closed the barn door and scooted the rock back in front of it, I considered shoveling the walk. I returned to the house instead knowing LucyLillie was in her crib and would not likely be heard if she woke.
I awoke this morning to four of our children's voices coming from outside an upstairs window. I could hear Eric and Hannah talking about how deep the snow was. I looked out to see that they were shoveling it, trying to get to the barn and the garage. They needed to get to the feed in the garage, and then to the animals in the barn. Both paths were 'snowed-in'. The snow in front of the garage was about a foot and a half deep. The barn path wasn't so deep, just a longer path. I was surprised to see that all traces of my trip to the barn only a few hours earlier were gone. The wind had blown the snow clean over my tracks to and from the barn.
I jumped back into bed and snuggled up with Lucy for a few more minutes, when I heard footsteps coming upstairs. "It must be Eric, coming to show me the handful of different colored eggs," I thought, as has become his sweet morning tradition. Seeing Jocelyn instead, I could only ask one question, "Is everything ok?". Her "No" was a little expected, though with no tears, I knew the goats were not in trouble. Then she told me the bad news: Hannie's beloved "Crooked Beak" had died in the chicken pen overnight.
Poor little Crooked Beak. We had just been laughing the previous evening at the funny little hen. She had a crooked beak, crooked toes on one foot and a wing that sometimes hung down a little lower than the other. She was incredibly tiny, and I don't know if she weighed more than a couple of pounds. She would jump into the feed bucket and ride down with you down to the barn. She did this the last time I went down there, and I didn't notice her until I was under the tree where we feed the chickens. She also jumped right up into Jocelyn's hand just yesterday when she tried to shoo her off the driveway. We were laughing because I said that we had a "lap chicken". Hannie did not understand, and promptly told me to please stop making fun of Crooked Beak, almost with tears in her eyes. I explained what I meant and we all had a laugh.
We noticed this funny little chicken and her little crooked beak last summer as the chicks were just getting their feathers. I remember trying to clip her beak just a little so that she could peck better, but there was no way I could keep it up. It didn't make much of a difference in her beak, and Hannie actually teared-up when I did it. Seems Crooked Beak had already found her way into Hannie's heart. Hannie spent the next couple of months making sure Crooked had extra food and milk and water since she couldn't eat very well by herself. We talked sbout the fact that one day, we might go to the barn, and Crooked Beak would be dead. We talked about the fact that we would do what we could, but she just might not make it. I told her about Crooked Beak, and I don't think she was sure how to react. She didn't cry, but wanted to put her in the trash bag by herself. We would talk about it later.
When I came downstairs a little while later, the barn chores were done and the paths shoveled to the size of a foot path - not very wide. Not to fear though, Matt and Eric spent the next four hours outside sharing in the cameraderie of manly hard work shoveling all of the of snow that once graced our little fifty foot sidewalk and part of our two hundred foot driveway. I can only imagine the stories Eric will have to tell my grandchildren about "the times he and Daddy spent shoveling 'this many feet of snow for hours and hours."' Eric even got to accompany Daddy into town after the road was cleared, and then up to watch the last quarter of the football game. More testosterone, I guess.
The girls and I, on the other hand, stayed in today. It was perfect winter weather to sit in the cozy house, looking outside at the not-yet-trampled snow through our picture window. We sat and talked; Rachel made a lovely breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. She was so excited to come and tell me that one of our chicken eggs had a double-yoke in it! Ahh... life on the farm! Jocelyn and I made a braided belt; Isaac and Caleb made lego castles and towers; Hannie played Momma for most of the day, singing to and caring for LucyLillie. Lucy is learning to sit in her Playcrib and enjoying it very much. All of her siblings marvel as she pulls herself up on the sides and steps up onto her little tippy-toes to peer over the side and smile her cheeky little grin.
Now, with (most of) the Littles in bed and Lucy in the rocking chair with Rachel, Amanda is finishing up singing How Great Thou Art from the old church hymnal we have had for years, Jocelyn is diligently typing away her Memo Monday post and Matt, well, he is probably dozing away upstairs on the couch in the attic room.
It's been a long while since I checked out your blog. I LOVE THE CHANGES you made. And the updated pictures of your children. IF I only knew how to do those things to mine..LOL. We have had some news also, run on over and check out my families blog. I can't wait for the new year and the blessings God has for us, with our children.
Blessings to you and your family...
Lisa
PS are you anywhere near Angola Indiana? I have an aunt out there.. :o)
Sounds so marvelous! We had a day much like yours and thoroughly enjoyed being snowed in! :)
I miss you dear friend and am praying for you.
hugs & blessings - Misty
Ok, I am jealous! I would LOVE to have just a little of that snow! :) We got some flurries Sunday, I would love to have had some on the ground... maybe before winter is over with.
Have a great day!
Love,
Chas
Poor Hannie~ That is the part of farm life that is so hard! We never seem to get used to it. We had quite a bit of snow, but it's starting to melt now. I was "dreaming of a white Christmas" but the winter is young and I'm sure there won't be any lack of "white stuff." Thank you for sharing about yor day. :o)
Oh how I love the snow! The peace of it and I love how it slows down our lives! I love getting so much snow that we can't get out!!! I love being home and not feeling the need to go out ..........
Monday, December 10, 2007 - Heart of Wisdom Blog Contest: A Free Book Random Drawing
Heart of Wisdom Blog Contest: A Free Book Random Drawing will be held every Monday through the months of December and January at the Heart of Wisdom Blog. Each week one Heart of Wisdom subscriber will be randomly selected o receive one FREE Homeschool Book or Heart of Wisdom Ebook from Homeschool-Books.com. A new title will be given away each week. Click here to enter.
Monday, December 3, 2007 - The Homeschool Blog Awards Are Worth Your Time
The Homeschool Blog Awards polls are open for voting. I hope you will take time to go and vote for your favorites. Have you been there to see how many of your friends are in the nominations or perhaps, if you are in the runnings?
Perhaps you have been to the HSBA site and noticed some of the original nominated blogs have been removed from the Awards' running. Yes, that's true. Yours Truly, as well as Amanda and Jocelyn and other great homeschool blogger moms who author the HSBA blog have removed ourselves voluntarily in the light of - well - whatever you want to call it. Read about it on the HSBA site in the Legal Update.
Originally, as I stated in a previous blog, HSBA was started "because we were not likely to get noticed by mainstream blog-award-givers. Spunky’s first year of the Homeschool Blog Awards were a complete success. Not only did quite a few homeschool bloggers get a much deserved pat on the back for their “labor of love”, but all of us were able to join together as a group - no matter what type of homeschooler we were - and learn about all the talent among our ranks. Some of us met new bloggers, made new friends, and found new blogs to read that continue to inspire us to be better homeschoolers."
As gifts were donated to the winners as prizes, this caused division to form and bloggers who neither wanted the Christian prizes (read Vision Forum) nor did they qualify as family-friendly bloggers, started blogging dissension and commenting as they could to put the HSBA in a bad light. I read some of the comments, and some were valid and non-judgmental, but most were just nasty and unwarranted temper-tantrums.
The HS Blog Awards are supposed to be a 'fun' recognition. We are trying our best to make it just that and keep it that way. I understand the need for laws to keep impropriety out of mainstream contests and giveaways, but I have a lot more faith in the homeschool community than to think such divisions and laws are necessary. We should be different. We are trying to 'buck the system' and raise our children differently, without government interference. There is definitely a division between Christian Homeschoolers and those who are not, but the homeschooling community we are a part of is a tight-knit community. We are different in the fact that we support each other and lift each other up and the homeschool blogging circles I belong to are no different. We are happy for each other when we "win". We give things to each other. We pray for each other. We get to know each other and each others' families. It is like we are neighbors. What has been said to tarnish and tear-down the HSBA is just plain wrong and selfish. Period.
Would I have loved to win? You betcha'. We aren't a high-society wage family. It would have been nice to win any of the gifts in any of the four categories I was nominated in. But, when it came right down to it, it was worth more to me to make the choice to let God take care of that and stay the course in helping the HSBA Team. Amanda and Jocelyn, who are 18 and 16 respectively, gave up their chances to win some really nice prizes in their categories. But, they were determined to stand behind the HSBA team too. I'll tell you, it has been a lot of late and extra hard work, but it has been one of the best character-building times in their lives. I am thankful for that. Very thankful.
As Dawn put it: "It is so sad that it’s come to this, that there are people in this world so offended by moral decency (the family-friendly requirement) that they’ve turned the awards into a controversy that resulted in the elimination of the people who cared enough to keep it going in the first place."
Rachel - The Milk & Honey Tea-House (Best Cyber-Buddy Blog 2007 category) and LucyLillie - (Best New Homeschool Blog category) are not Authors on the HSBA, so they are still in the running. Vote for them! Voting ends December 15, midnight, Pacific Standard Time.
If you would like to read more of what the team has to say about the blogging dissension in the past few weeks surrounding the Homeschool Blog awards, here are a few more links:
Seriously there are prizes? I had no idea I was just thinking that it was like those boggy award that people give and get. See what happens when Family Friendly get to the heathens.lol it becomes a dirty word. I am sorry that this is happening, quite a tell of the times really.
Yes, I felt the very same way last year. I had no idea there were prizes, and I was one of the nominees. However, I think addition of the prizes has somehow turned it into something more than just a little recognition, and people are actually expecting to win them.
Honestly, I don't know based on the others in the categories I was nominated in if I had a chance - but I would like to think I did. :)
blessings~J
I voted! I voted! I'm so glad I got a moment to vote for Rachel. :) And some of the other blogs that were in the running, like the Backyard. I don't remember them all. I'm just glad I remembered (due to Jocelyn's email!)!!!!
Monday, December 3, 2007 - ON WT Breastfeeding A Newborn
I have not really ever had any problems breastfeeding. And, for as long as I have ever thought about breastfeeding, I knew I was going to breastfeed my babies.
For some things it is good that you 'don't know any better'. I just automatically thought that if you have a baby, you nurse the baby. I didn't know any different. Looking back, it was strange to hear my mom tell me over and over, in an encouraging, if not permission-like way that she only nursed me until I doubled my birth weight, then she was told she could start me on baby food. I suppose my mom could attest to my determination to do things differently - or the 'right way' or whatever you would call it, but I had no interest in stopping breastfeeding when Amanda doubled her birth weight.
As a matter of fact, I read all I could about breastfeeding, and as I found out that you could do it well into toddlerhood (and you should), it became increasingly harder and harder to not be offended or confused when a well-meaning friend made comments or asked questions about when I was going to stop breastfeeding. The pressure is really not much different than from people who do not understand "why in the world we would homeschool" or "Why we have so many kids". But, I suppose they didn't know me very well either. I found out that breastfeeding was best, and there was no way I was going to stop because society thought it was weird or to make it convenient for my life.
Yes, there were things I did with Amanda and Jocelyn, being our first two, that I would not ever do now, like supplement with formula or stop before they were toddlers so I could go on a two-week youth group drama tour. I hate it that I did those things. Live and learn. I am so happy I know more now.
So, after 8 children, what do I know? Hmmm.... I suppose I will come up with things to write for several weeks into this post. So, I will write what I can think of now. The funny thing is that you 'forget' some things.
I have a friend whose baby was given formula in the hospital, and now she is having a hard time re-introducing the breast. So, I will start there. I think a lot of this info will go a long way, whether you has problems breastfeeding or it's smooth-sailing. My sil also had some similar problems, so I know this is common for some of us mommies.
If you wrote me and told me you were having problems breastfeeding, this is what I would tell you:
All you can do is keep up your milk supply and keep offering the breast. The chlorophyll, zinc and lots of water should help keep it up. Interesting thing: when I was researching about goat's milk, I read that the milk is actually blood that has been changed into milk in the body, so you need to make sure your iron is good too.
I think that you need to be the only one Baby associates with feedings - that only you should give her her bottle. When she is almost done with her bottle and acts like she is content, I would offer her the breast. Even if all of the kids want to hold her, and I think they should, but I think for now, Baby needs to constantly be against your skin. It needs to be her constant comfort. It needs to be where she feels secure. You need to
give her her bottle with her face against your bare breast. You need to wake her up every couple of hours and hold her so your breast is all she has in her world. She probably won't be hungry every two hours, but she will suckle if she can.
If you have been giving Baby formula from the git-go or she was given that alone, then all I can say is that she she needs to be totally immersed in that being her world. 24/7.
IEven if you do all of this, plan on it taking at least a couple of weeks. Don't get discouraged. Expect her to want the bottle. Unless and until Baby 'switches' her reality over to you/your skin, she will want the bottle. It is not so much about her latching on as it is about changing what she has learned about her food source. Since you can't change those other days, change what she knows now. Learn her signs. If it feels like "it isn't
working", it's ok. It is not something that will work or not. It is something to get used to.
I didn't find anything in my book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding on this topic, so here are some other links I found. It is sometimes is better to get others' perspectives/experiences.
Sunday, December 2, 2007 - Just a Re-Cap of Our Way Too Busy Lives
Hi my friends! We have really been spinning here, and I just have to remember God's goodness and offer a praise in the midst of all of this seeming chaos! This has always been a plus to the fact that we homeschool: we can take the day-by-day and apply it to our home learning and just take it as it comes in our lives. No taking days off school or make-up homework. This is life, and it is good!
I just want you to know that we have been so busy on only one computer since the laptop is getting its brain replaced -or maybe it's its heart, I don't know. Anyway, we were hoping it would be back today, but nope, maybe tomorrow. Then we have a wireless network to set up. We - Amanda, Jocelyn and I - have been trying so hard to keep up with our online and blogging commitments as we accomplish our "regular" ones, but, well, as Heather so wonderfully reminded me on the phone the other night... blogging is fun, and we love our friends, but it is not my (our) life!
On top of that (and at just the right time, of course) Amanda, Jocelyn and I have been working overtime on the Homeschool Blog Awards along with our wonderful, super-de-duper team of fantastic homeschool blogger-moms! We are adding and subtracting to the site, and it is just wonderful to be a part of it, but so much work too. And we aren't even the ones doing the majority of it, we are just helping as we can! Many of these super-moms are such a blessing - just like so many of the rest of you, my friends. It is amazing to me that God has brought so many like-minded mommas from all across the country and the world into our lives in so many different circles for us to love and carry each other's joys and sorrows, to bless and encourage. And, lest I forget - all of the friends my daughters have - I do not know a lot of their moms personally, but I know of them and about their families, and they are 'just a part of our circle of friends' too!
Christina was telling me a couple of weeks ago that she had company over, and they were talking about Jocelyn or Lucy or our family, and their guests were like,"Oh, are they new at the church; do I know her?" or something like that. It is so true though. It's like we all just live right down the street, and are great family. How awesome.
We have also been praying and making phone calls and finding out about Grandma in the nursing home. We are still waiting on a report from Aunt Peggy. This has renewed our minds to the fact of all the things we will need to do to ever move back West again. I look at many things we have, and think, "Do we need to keep this? Am I willing to move it or replace it?". And, believe me, this chilling weather is making us think about moving real quick! :)
And, let's see - let's not forget... Gena had her Beautiful Baby Susanna Hope... another family God has blessed our family with in just the past year. It's odd to me that last year at this time is probably the first time Gena and I actually sent each other personal emails, and then, when she !realized! that I was expecting LucyLillie, well, it was shortly after that we became so close and our families too. God knows just what we need just when we need it. I am thankful for so many friends I have met through blogging.
Several things I have noticed lately in and around our home: *LucyLillie is 'talking'. She sticks her chin out, stretched out her neck and just talks and talks. She is so cute! She also got her first tooth!! Yes, it is just a little sharp nothing, but, she officially has one! *Eric has been helping quite a bit! He asked me the other day how to run the washing machine while Amanda was at the store so he could help her out. He also surprised me with over-easy eggs on toast and coffee this morning as I checked emails. Yup, he's my boy! *Amanda is so excited her Dad bought and picked up Dark Foundations by Chris Walley. She loves this series and was even reading it online the other day in anticipation. *Jocelyn and I made goat's milk soap today! She is chronicling it for a couple of reasons: 1) we are avid scrapbookers, and 2) she is writing about it in The Girlhood. We got some great pictures!
*Eric, Hannie, Isaac and Rachel made cookies the other night and took pictures for me so I can get a BFS post up - hopefully before this assignment is over!
*And Caleb- well, I am trying to let him be the baby more. He has no animosity at all towards Luc (she is his Precious!), but I can tell he needs more Mommy-time. So, with that, I am saying good-bye and going to take him upstairs and snuggle while Luc sleeps!
And, go enter Jocelyn's Holiday Bundle. She started it for Thanksgiving, and it will run for one more week! She has over $300 in prizes donated, and everyone gets something! Go sign up for yours!
I know that sometimes I feel like I am online all-day, with emails, comments, researching, IMing, not to mention homeschool work... and, then, I step back and breathe deep and "feel" Real Life. Boy does it feel good!!
blessings~J
Saturday, November 24, 2007 - Saturday Psalm & Praise - Oh, How I Love Jesus
Oh, How I Love Jesus
by Frederick Whitfield, 1829 - 1904
There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
Chorus
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me!
It tells me of a Saviour's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner's perfect plea.
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me!
It tells me what my Father hath
In store for every day,
And tho' I tread a darksome path,
Yields sun-shine all the way.
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me!
It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe,
Who in each sorrow bears a part,
That none can bear below.
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me!
We are having some very sorrowful things happening right now with Matt's grandmother, and this praise is all I can get out. As I looked through the hymnal this morning to find the Hymn I chose a few days ago, I found this instead, and this verse gave me comfort:
It tells of One whose loving heart Can feel my deepest woe,
Who in each sorrow bears a part,That none can bear below.
God IS the One Who can feel my deepest woe. He does bear our sorrows. He bears sorrows no one else is even equipped to bear. How great a God we serve. How great a God He is.
Saturday, November 24, 2007 - Our Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Day
We had a very non-traditional, relaxed Thanksgiving Day yesterday. It was non-traditional, because we had Mexican food. Yes, Mexican. It's funny that I have heard some of my children's online friends' have asked if we are of Hispanic descent. My husband was born and raised in New Mexico, but is not Hispanic... though he is of a small (can we even measure it?) Comanche Indian descent. My skin, when I was younger, was an olive-complexion, and I tanned very easily; so do most of our children. Add our dark hair, and I can see where friends might think that.
It was also non-traditional because I did not cook one thing. Amanda cooked the dinner, and it wasn't the cook all day, eat, then clean-up the rest of the day type of day, either.
I awoke to Hannie preparing to serve the eggs and bacon she made for breakfast. Scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. We will have to have her cook it longer from now on though. Matt likes his crunchy, and I like mine a tad more cooked, but, no one said so, lest we spoil her job well done. Nothing like a seven-year-old who can get up and make a nice little breakfast and set a pretty table too.
Daddy prayed for our day and our food and that God's Hand would be upon us and direct us. Breakfast was served. Daddy made about a dozen pieces of toast and brought out the honey. We read through an old American History workbook about Miles Standish, the Separatists and the Strangers - the Pilgrims. It was a nice time, not too deep, but just enough to keep everyone's attention and ask some questions. Eric got to read when Caleb crawled up into my lap, which already held little LucyLillie. She got to eat some pears all mashed up. We took pictures of her first foods a couple of days ago, but I have yet to blog it.
After breakfast, it was time to clean up the attic room (our family room/ master bedroom) in preparation for the football game later that afternoon.Daddy took Eric and Hannie upstairs, and the girls and I got on our 1 computer to check email. (Correction: Amanda) Ok, I got on the 1 computer to check email... the girls hovered, and we laughed and read emails from Auntie and visited some friends' blogs. All afternoon, the children took turns on the piano. I think when everyone was hungry, Jocelyn went and got the Littles a hot dog. That was Amanda's cue to get dinner done.
I found a site with sheet music for Amazing Grace, at Jocelyn's request. When it was time to eat dinner, I went out to the parlor, and she was playing out of our Praise book. Our children only play the right hand, but it really did not matter. I laid my face in my hands and just took in the music and heard the words in the voice in my head. It was calming, even when there were several others in the room talking and playing and what-have-you. I smiled to myself and just relished the moment of this time. All of our children, eighteen to seven months, in our home, enjoying each other and time together.
Daddy again prayed for our food and that God's Hand would be upon us and direct us. We all thanked God for a wonderful day, and dinner was served. We had rolled tacos, con queso, beans and rice and chips. Of course, we had pumpkin pie and ice cream. Matt then washed the china - I am convinced it was because the Cowboys were playing their annual Thanksgiving Day football game... and, well, *that* tradition stood yesterday, of course! haha.
My Mom and sister called as we ended our meal, and Jen got to listen to Caleb sing as he played the piano. There was dead silence for about a minute, and I asked if she was there, and she said, "I'm just listening to him play the piano," in that sweet, amazed voice. Made me joyful.
So, all in all, it was a peaceful day. Good food, prayer and celebration. Family fun. We ended it with Daddy asleep in front of the game, the Littles falling to sleep slowly but surely, and the girls and I enjoying each others' company as I hemmed Matt's pants.
We do plan to have turkey breast on Sunday, and Amanda is even now making a list of our favorite holiday foods, including mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potatoes/marshmallows and rolls. I think Matt held off in his decision of the question, "What should we do for Thanksgiving" just so he could have the Mexican dinner. Boy was it good.
Hope your day was wonderful and relaxing, and you have a great weekend!
Saturday, November 24, 2007 - What Exactly Is A Christian Homeschool Mom?
There are a lot of ideas about homeschooling and homeschool families and especially homeschool moms that are completely unfounded and almost pure opinion. If you are a homeschool mom, you know what I mean. If you are a Christian homeschool mom, perhaps you are unaware that we, as a whole, are viewed as 'holier than thou' women by many of our fellow moms and even fellow believers.
I was recently told in a comment a common belief about homeschoolers: (mockingly) "But do you teach them about God? Yes? But do you teach them modesty and to only ever wear skirts and keep their hair long and never to tweeze, shave, color, or otherwise enhance her beauty? You do? But do you homeschool them? You do? But what curriculum do you use? Oh, do you UNschool them? NO ONE can live up to the impossibly high standards they (us homeschool moms) seem to have set. Of course, they claim to be imperfect, but do they really see themselves that way? Or are they just a teensy bit more godly than the rest of us?"
I contend that we know that we are not perfect. We struggle with our health, with finances, with loss, with our attitudes. We are not who a lot of people think we are. I have lived with this type of opinion for as long as I can remember. And, it is ok with me now. I am not yet content with who I am, because I am still working on it, but I am content to be a homeschool mom of 8. I am content to have people stare and ask stupid questions like, "Are those kids all yours?" "Are you done now?" "How do you do it?" "I couldn't stand to be home with my kids all day - and I only have 2!" Ok, maybe they aren't stupid questions, just stupidly asked. Tactlessly asked.
I know I am not sitting at home, waiting hand and foot endlessly 'like a doormat' or someone who stays home because 'I am not smart enough to do anything else' ... yeah, *you* try to organize and run this household, hehehh.
People act like it's ok to offend homeschoolers and large families, but, by golly, don't offend someone who doesn't want more children. Don't project your opinions on them. That is judgmental. And, don't force your beliefs on them, though they may do that to you. People also act like you must be rolling in the dough and have absolutely no other problems because your children will sit and be well-behaved in a restaurant and, well, you must be rich to afford all of those children. Or, you just do not understand about the real world. I mean, how could you? You don't shop and get gas and drive in the real world... Like we just fell off of the first spaceship back from Mars.
I know homeschool moms. We are all normal people. We have broken lives and great lives. We have children who are terribly sweet and don't back-talk, and we have children who shun our ideals. We have great health, and we have family who live with illness and even die from it. We are people. We may think differently. We may have to defend our ideals and reasons we homeschool, but we are human beings.
Have you heard of The Old Homeschoolhouse Minute-To-Minute e-newsletter? The MTM newsletter that I just found in my inbox, that reveals that "Yes, A chronically ill mom can homeschool." The answers and encouragement for this mom come from homeschool moms who are battling and homeschooling with auto immune disease, disabling depression, very long bouts with pneumonia and numerous lung/sinus ailments, chronic headaches, pain, and muscle fatigue, and the list goes on.
We are real people. We band together to encourage each other, yes, of course. That does not mean we think we are better than anyone. And, I think everyone pretty much thinks they are doing the right thing... or at least the best thing. I mean, who would intentionally do the worst thing for their family and children?
Ok, well, that's food for thought. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on this, because, we all have opinions on everything, don't we? Go on over to Home Where They Belong and join in on the discussion. My Keep Their Hearts post is the topic, but the commenting has moved to Deb's post and Tia posted it on The Front Porch, so there are homeschool moms commenting on this topic there too.
Jacque,
Oh how I needed to read this post! I am feeling a bit discouraged about things as of late and your post was a big boost of encouragement!
As a homeschooling mama of 10 precious ones.... I can honestly say I am *real* ....... I deal with the same stuff that non homeschooling moms go thru..... I have good days and discouraging days and moments and yes I do even yell at my kids occasionally!
I don't know why some think that because we homeschool we think we are better..... for surely that is not true... in our prior congregration there was a big deviseness between those that homeschooled and those that didn't and I just couldn't figure out why?
I homeschool because I feel that is what is best for my children and yes, I am an imperfect mama...... what can I say -- 10 kiddos in a 3 bedroom 1 bath home in the country taxes me ....... but this is what I feel the Lord has called me to do.
Thanks for writing and sharing.
Blessings,
Gloria
ps. I just discovered you blog at homeschool blogger ......
Maybe these women's conscience's are pricked by our presence? They either did not, or are not home education and feel the need to lash out, be defensive, be hateful.
Who cares what they think anyway? Are we serving man (woman) or are we serving God? Who cares what the world things.........
It is so important that we live our lives out transparently for others to see His good work in each of us. Some will mock that work, some will try to make excuses for that work they see in us that He couldn't do that with them, and others wil be drawn to that work... they will see teh fruit mixed in with all the prunning that we are doing each day, that the Lord is doing in us and they will desire to know Him more. That is my prayer.. not that people think I have my life together, not that I have great kids, not that I have a perfect marriage but that I have a FAITHFUL GOD!
Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Thankfulness, Gratitude, Gratefulness
Happy Thanksgiving!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thankfulness
THANK'FULNESS,n. Expression of gratitude; acknowledgment of a favor.
1. Gratitude; a lively sense of good received.
The celebration of these holy mysteries being ended, retire with all thankfulness of heart for having been admitted to that heavenly feast.
Thankfulness. It is a word whose definition we don't much associate with today. Not in families. Not in churches. Not in everyday life. I have to admit that I could easily name the things I am thankful for, like family, my husband's job, food on the table, good friends. I could name the basic everyday things I am truly thankful for, but not the deep things. I am thankful for my husband, but not when he disagrees with what I want. I am thankful for his job, but not when he leaves at 7am and gets home at 8pm. I am thankful for my children, but not when they don't do their schoolwork and chores. I am thankful for friends, but not when make choices I wouldn't make. I am thankful for the cool crisp Indiana fall weather, but I am not looking forward to the winter.
Is this just human nature? To be thankful when I am happy and ungrateful for that which I am 'thankful' when things don't go the way I want? When I don't get my way?
There are many friends and acquaintances who are experiencing loss that I may never - and I hope I never - experience. Am I thankful, am I grateful, for my health? Or only when I am sick or someone I know gets sick am I grateful for my health?
Gratitude
GRAT'ITUDE, n. [L. gratitudo, from gratus, pleasing. See Grace.]
An emotion of the heart, excited by a favor or benefit received; a sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor; thankfulness. Gratitude is an agreeable emotion, consisting in or accompanied with good will to a benefactor,and a disposition to make a suitable return of benefits or services, or when no return can be made, with a desire to see the benefactor prosperous and happy. Gratitude is a virtue of the highest excellence, as it implies a feeling and generous heart, and a proper sense of duty.
The love of God is the sublimest gratitude.
I am not thankful the way I need to be. I used to praise the Lord a lot more than I do. I used to gush praise. I have lost that gush. I need to get it back. I need to be thankful because I am thankful. Do I need a reason to be thankful? I don't think I do. I don't think I should need a reason. Perhaps it is just something I should always be, and then I will always feel and act thankful. If I am thankful in all things, then I just am, for both the small things and the large things.
I am not saying there aren't times when it takes a great deal to be thankful, but, for the most part, we don't have too much to not be thankful for. And, if we do have something that is not worthy of being thankful for (like an illness or a loss), then I must be thankful for what God is working through that in my life. I said in my review of Chapters 1-3 in The Hedge of Thorns that I think we complicate things in life too much. Either I am a thankful person or I am a person who thinks I am owed, so I do not have to be thankful. I do not want to have to 'work up' that feeling of thankfulness. I want to just 'be thankful' all the time.
Gratefulness
GRA'TEFULNESS, n. The quality of being grateful; gratitude.
1. The quality of being agreeable or pleasant to the mind or to the taste.
Ungratefulness. What an ugly thing. It's that question your child asks you when you give him a good-sized piece of pumpkin pie, with a huge dollop of whipped topping because you were being ex-tree nice, and he still says, "That other piece was bigger." Blank stare. Do you suppose Our Heavenly Father gives us that same blank stare? I know I have been - usually am - deserved of that blank stare. I can hear Him saying, "Jacque, are you kidding me? I know you know better than that. Please wake up and come back to me. See what you already know? Come back to it. Be thankful. Be grateful. This is a love like no other. This is something that is so much more valuable than all those other things you look at. Be a thankful person. Be grateful. I am looking out for you. I am watching all things and keepingyou from things you have no idea... as I always have. Be thankful. Learn from this. Learn patience and real love. Learn to be dignified. Live what you have learned."
What is He saying to you? Are you a thankful person? I often am too frustrated to be grateful. What a pity. What joy I could know in being thankful. What I am missing out on.
Thank YOU Lord. Thank YOU for leading, guiding and directing my steps, even when I am ungratefully choosing to walk in the opposite direction. The LORD truly is all in all.
"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Romans 5
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - HSBA Nominations Are In
There are so many wonderful blogs to choose from in each category. We are going to have to choose who to pick for what!! I have already gone to a few friends' blogs today and saw the HSBA Nominee Icon. Looks great.
I was going to list those whom I already read or am friends with, but instead, I think I will do it category by category, because I would like to look at those I do not know too. I know I haven't met all of my favorite bloggers from the Awards last year, but I did meet some, and it will be fun (if I get the chance) to meet other like-minded homeschool mommas, etc.!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! To all of you who were nominated! Really. I wish you the best. And, to Heather and the HSBA crew... you all did a lot of work, and dodged many bullets. Even Amanda had some mud slung at her.. (I probably have, too, by now! we just haven't found it yet.) But, thank you thank you thank you. You are a very special group of ladies and friends.
Thank you for nominating my Homeschool blog! I have been nominated in these categories:
Best Homeschool Mom Blog
Best Unschooling or Eclectic Homeschooling Blog
Best Encourager Blog
Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschool Blog
I told the ladies on the HSBA team that had I not been nominated that would be fine. I mean, I blog for a couple of reasons: 1) to keep a journal of my thoughts and our lives, and 2) to encourage other homeschool moms. However, it *is* nice to be nominated. I do know that my girls nominated me, and I am not ungrateful. Of course. :)
My girls were also nominated in these categories: Amanda:Best “Live What You Believe” Homeschool Blog; Best Teen Gal Blog Jocelyn:Best Teen Gal Blog Rachel:Best Cyber-Buddy Blog LucyLillie: Best NEW Homeschool Blog
Also: Eric Novak: Best Teen Guy Blog ... I think he is pretty much related... like an adopted nephew.... Home Where They Belong:
Best Current Events, Opinions, or Politics Blog
Best Curriculum or Business Blog
Best Family or Group Blog
Best Curriculum or Business Blog HSB Company Porch:
Best Variety Blog
Congratulations! I knew I would see you and your girls there, but I had NO CLUE that I was listed! Talk about a surprise! It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving~ thanks for sharing about it. I know my sons would LOVE to have a mexican dinner! :o)
Your blog is wonderful, Amy. Truly, in so many ways. We love it. Unfortunately, at this late date... Amanda, Jocelyn and I have had to remove ourselves from the running... so, this is quite bittersweet.
blessings~ j
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - Enter to Win Crocheted Snowflakes
My friend Ruth at Heart of God is having a contest. " I have finally taken some pictures of the snowflakes I have been crocheting. I would love to hold a contest to give away a dozen of these assorted snowflakes to one lucky person. I have wanted to do a contest for some time and couldn't think of what to give away. I am so glad to have thought of these. I love to make them and would love to share them. "
She also has them for sale, if you would like to purchase them. All you have to do is leave a comment, so head on over there!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - Homesteading Carnival #23
Being a day late, but not a dollar short, I finally bring you THE CARNIVAL OF HOMESTEADING... HOMesteading... homestead..... that was an internet echo, fyi. heheeh. Ok, if you do not know what a carnival is, this may give you an idea. If it doesn't, then look at The Homesteading Carnival for which I getting a post copied over there...
Now... onto what you are looking for: The Homesteading Carnival #23 ... originally posted over at my Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths, my homeschool blog.
I get to host the Homesteading Carnival again! Yahoo! So, being as the time just changed and it is beginning to get cold around here, I thought about what I could include in this carnival. What Fall things I can include. Fall. Let's take a look at what is on our homestead friends hearts for Fall:
Pumpkins
I belong to the Blogger Friends School, hosted by Tamara at Training Hearts. This weeks assignment is a Pumpkin Party! We incorporated it into our school... as we do with most everything! I blogged the sketches and drawings we did for it.
Apples
Tamara at Training Hearts has a nifty idea for simple Apple Pie in a Jar. Sounds so yummy, Tamara. and so pretty! I love to make Apple crisp in the fall. This would be a great idea to can for the winter and spring on those cold days when we are hankerin' for something sweet!
Soup
Yummy, have a great bowl of Autumn Harvest Soup full of butternut squash, onions, and apples that Tina has posted. It sounds good, I think I might have Rachel make some.
Change in weather Melissa, a new blogger, who is Homesteading in Nicaragua tells us of The End of Rainy Season "On the isthmus of Nicaragua is a little finca called Quinta Quijote (Keen-tah Key-ho-tay). It's not quite an up and running farm yet, or finca as it's called down here, but we're getting closer to our dream every day, despite rainy season and any number of other crazy obstacles that we've encountered in our four years of life here."
Fall is the time to get end-of-summer work finished before it gets too cold to finish it. I hate it when I can't get something done, and then the snow starts falling, and I know I am going to have to wait until next spring for some nice weather to get things around here finished. FarmGal ~ Stone Farm 35 leads us through Farm Work and Pictures, as they prepare for a pond.
Catherine Love is Cool Weather Cooking "it is at least cool enough these days to enjoy having the oven on! I'm going to search through my recipe pile today and do some cooking."
Leaves Falling
Catherine shares about making leaf prints with your children on the HSB Front Porch in her post, Fall Fun.
Harvest
I found a very interesting post, More Agrarian Secrets from E.P. Roe, that is a part of a series you will have to take a look at. "And speaking of insightful, here’s what E.P has to say about raising children so they will NOT trade the richness of rural life for city existence when they grow up."
Eric of The Voice of Experience shares with us the Cycle of Life. The cornfields began to come down as the tractors role in. Take a peak at the tractors he captured and take a minute to read his poem.
Jasmine at Ponder the Path tells about her Canning Basics-Baby Steps. She explains, "When I was young, we lived near my great-grandmother. Every summer, my mother and great-grandmother both had large gardens and preserved the bounty each fall. At the time, us kids couldn't stand canning season, because of the vinegar smell we had to endure on pickle canning day. I was too young to appreciate being able to grow and preserve food for your family to enjoy all year long."
Homemade
Some times the best way to tell a story is through photos... Nancy of Gaelic Acres shares her experiences about making goat cheese in A Photo Story .
First time making Goat Milk Soap, Jocelyn posts the recipe she will be using and her trip to the store to find all her supplies. Join her at Amusing Reflections of a CountryGirl as she attempts to make goat milk soap.
Time Change
At Hidden Haven Homestead, Peggy shares about the Time Change over at her farm. The animals there aren't too happy about it.."all the animals thought I was late with their supper. Seems they didn't get the memo about the time change. Williamsaid I should post a sign by their pens letting them know." I can definitely relate to this whole time change thing. We've been trying to figure out when we're feeding the animals - on our "regular" schedule or going along with the time change!
Amanda of My Learning Experience shares about what a God of Wonders He is. As she shares her pictures of the bright pink skies, she thinks "Isn't that just beautiful?? I am not a person who really cares much about scenery, but when I walked out into the pink world, I couldn't help, but want to capture the moment."
Craft Fairs and Festivals Oak Hill Homestead ~ Fall Festival (Sorghum Day). Take a virtual visit to the Sorghum Day Festival in an Oklahoma town.
If you are looking for something cute and festive to eat at your harvest party, Ann'Re made a sweet Recipe: Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes. Yesterday was Rachel's birthday, and these were simply too cute to see and then not try them! Everyone loved them, especially Caleb who got into them a few times...
Homeschool
In Morning at the Pumpkin Patch, Nancy shares a fall day in pictures at the pumpkin patch with other homeschool families - and fun! We went to a pioneer day at a homeschool familiy's homestead several years back. It was really fun and interesting. I still have keepsake heart-wreaths hanging on my wall from when we went.
Hunting
Our neighbor is an avid hunter. He takes many trips all across North America every year hunting everything from deer to turkeys. He goes out on his 4-wheeler; sometimes he takes Annie, his Springer Spaniel, sometimes he leaves her. I usually know about his hunting excursions because the girls always houses it for him and take care of Annie for him. He is in his 60's and does not blog. Otherwise, I am sure he could tell you some stories!
Jamie, AnOldFashionedGirl, has posted a few blogs about her husbands love of hunting. Slow Starting Monday is one of them. See how it is a great benefit for their family. Hey - meat in the freezer! That's why we have so many roosters walking around here... I'm gonna can them soon! I totally agree with Thank God For His Provision. I'm even excited for how well her homeschooling is going! Anyway, read all about Jamie's husband's hunting experiences. Hunting Again even has a picture that I am going to show Eric. He would love to learn.
Fall Favorites
A favorite of mine for this season is my copy of the Fall issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Have you gotten yours yet? I don't think I am even all the way through mine, and I got it a week ago!
Another favorite of mine right now is the new book I got for the HSB Literary Book Club discussion: The Hedge of Thorns. It is a skinny, short 88pp, and I cannot believe how much is packed into them. I started it last night, and I was left with my mind, my heart and my spirit opened. If you think of it, would you pray for me about moderating it? This book has so many lessons and memories in it, I just pray God will lead the discussion and that many more will join us. It is really something.
Great Carnival Jacque! One of these days, I will get busy blogging again and have an entry for you.
Hey, speaking of TOS, did you happen to see the article called, "Firefighting Family"? That just so happens to be mine! :o)
Monday, November 5, 2007 - Working on The Homesteading Carnival
I am hosting the 23rd THC, and making it enjoyable and fun is a big job! I found many posts on your blogs, but on dial-up, it makes the work even harder!
Anyway, we know we have a lot, a lot, of people who read the THC every week, and I am hoping I can express how much easier it is when we get posts submitted in the format already to post. So, if you think about it this week, please submit your posts for next week! I think this carnival is a great idea and a lot of fun, so I would hate to have to do it 1x/mo or not at all, because we have so much to do too.
Monday, November 5, 2007 - HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY RACHEL!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!
Rachel, who was born my little peanut -weighing in at 5-10, is 14 today. You know Rachel; She is the young lady who has that cute little Tea-House blog design. The one who blogs such deep posts that you think she must be older than 14. Nope, she isn't. She is now my 14 year-old. That is incredible!
Rachel is usually stuck in the after-thoughts of Amanda's birthdays. I mean, I'll admit it: I am usually so exhausted after planning and celebrating with Amanda that I am wa-a-ay behind on anything for Rachel. Poor sweet dear!! That's ok, tho - we usually just celebrate ourselves! So, Rachel, what special dinner do you want tonight?
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy Birthday, dear Rachel
Happy birthday to you!!!!
So, I don't know what I can really get for Rachel here online, on this post. I would love to get her everything on her wish list and all the art supplies I can get my hands on.
She wouldn't want that, tho, because then, her little brothers and Hannie would just find them, think they were the best thing since sliced bread and have to use them.
How about some very nice stationery too. I know you would love that, wouldn't you, Rachel?
A new bed-set.
And, a bigger bedroom.
Matching furniture.
A bookcase for all your books??
And, I know you love Blondie,
but you have always wanted a lap-dog,
haven't you?
Like, maybe... this one??
A birthday would not be complete without a Birthday Blessing!
Numbers 6:24-26
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Blessings to you, my dear Rachel!!
Happy Birthday!
I love you Rachel!
Love, Mom
We all enjoy reading the thoughts of a thirteen fourteen-year-old girl from the country. "You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!" Philippians 4:13
Please sign Rachel's Linky below!! If you post a birthday post, please link it so we can visit!!! then go to her blog and leave her a comment! Thank you all! You are such sweet friends, and I feel like I know each of you! blessings~Mrs.D
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - It's October at Our Home
Well, I am still typing up my "Blog Awards" post... I have tried to get it done a 1/2 a dozen times, and have lost the post 4 times now, I think. I told Tamara probably 2 weeks ago that I had an award for her, and I still don't have it done. I'm sure she isn't worried about it right now, tho, because she is in the midst of the California Fires - so please pray for her, ok?
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
October... will it snow or rain or be in the 80's? Who knows... this is Indiana! Ok, so I know it will be getting cold enough to snow soon enough, but it is getting a lot colder here in northern Indiana. The animals don't mind yet - and neither do our Littles who still go out barefoot or in flip-flops (tho it was in the mid-50's). Amanda minded the cold, tho, when she went out this evening and took a picture of the pink landscape. The sun had gone down and was casting a pink color on everything outside - the freshly harvested corn fields, the still-green 100 year-old maple tree in the front yard, the sky, the outbuildings... It was strange.
The days are growing shorter too. Rachel feeds the chickens right before dusk and 2 weeks ago that meant feed them around 7:30. Now it means 6:30. I hate being on Daylight Savings time. During the summer, the sun stays out 'til 10pm, and now it's gone before 7. Anyway, enough of my groaning, I suppose.
Amanda's 18th Birthday Party
Of course, October in our home means the countdown to Amanda's birthday. We are all looking forward to this weekend, to her 18th birthday party. She invited all of her blog friends, and a couple of families and our family will be here. We have been planning food and a bonfire, party decorations... cleaning... !! I am not quite sure how I am feeling about her turning 18. Your child's birthday is always an exciting time, and sometimes a bit bittersweet. That's how it is with her turning 18. She and I have been discussing our relationship and her still being my little girl, but becoming a young woman of 18. How our relationship has changed but is still the same. How it will always change, and she will become a wife and then mother, and she will be released from my authority but not my love or (some of) my instruction. It is a strange thing. A strange feeling. A lovely relationship and a mystery to me. And, it may not happen for a few years, but I am reminded that I was married at 20 and had Amanda when I was 21. That is only 2 short years away for Amanda... and Jocelyn is just a year and a half behind her.
I am anxious for her to be a happy bride and joyful mother... and I am thrilled for her to stay here and be my adult daughter. So, I am treasuring these precious moments with her... good and bad - they are all good.
And, we get to meet Jill Novak this weekend too! Yay! She has been a friend now for ... gosh, it seems like years, but it has just been months. Jocelyn wrote for their last issue of The Girlhood Home Companion, and now I am going to be too (yay!). We met Eric and his dad last month, so it will be fun meeting Jill and their 2 younger daughters! This is an answer to prayer that they can come. PTL!
We have another friend coming who is a bit more local. She was a Creative Memories consultant last year, and her daughter blogs with the girls. I haven't seen her in awhile, so it will be fun for the girls to get to meet each other. My mom can't come, of course... she's in NM. My grandparent's will make it and so will our neighbor, Mr. Schenck, so there will be a good bunch of friends and family.
Amanda is doing an online virtual birthday party tomorrow with her blogger-homeschool friends, so that will be fun for her too. She has met a lot of good friends at Homeschoolblogger. She has grown up on HSB for the last year and a half, and I am glad there is such a place.
Homeschool
Speaking of October, I don't think I will ever totally get 'back into the swing of things' as far as a schedule. Ever since LucyLillie was born, we have been going with the flow, doing our workbooks and chores... just kinda' living life. I suppose it's a good thing that I am a fan of "Relationship Time" instead of "Clock Time". Our friend who was a misisonary to Cambodia always spoke of the "time" the Cambodian people lived on.. the time where it's ok to stop and help a friend get his cow unstuck from the mud or the time that you have to stop at a friend's home and eat dinner on your way to another friend's home. Time that you actually live rather than what has to totally control your life.
I am not talking about wasting time and letting whatever happens happen. I am talking about having a plan, but a flexible one. A very flexible one. One that is scheduled enough to make sure our children are learning and doing school work, but flexible enough to allow for the learning that goes on 'outside the classroom', so to speak. That includes interruptions to our academic learning to teach and train in character... which is sometomes a big UGH.
Some days I feel like I all I am doing is character training. With a 10 year-old boy-about-to-be-a-young-man and a 4 year-old and a 2 year-old, with poor (haha) Hannie in-between, well, I feel somedays like all I do is correct and teach, correct and teach. Imagine that. Amanda and Jocelyn are working - literally working, it seems- on so many blogs, writing so many articles and blogposts. They have responsibilities that I don't think I would have even wanted when I was their ages. To their credit. Those things fill their days for the most part in addition to the daily home responsibilities. Rachel is still working her math, reading and writing, which makes up her english and spelling. She is my letter-writer. She loves it, and it suits her. And I am so waiting for my new printer to arrive. I have a bunch of stuff I want to copy for the kids!
Well, that is all for now. I have spent a bit here reading and catching up on your lives, so I hope you enjoyed catching up on ours!
blessings!
Jacque
Oh, I almost forgot - another cool thing came up - Amanda and I are going to be reading and moderating with/for the HSB Literary Club on Homeschoolblogger! I plan on it being really fun to do with Amanda. We are going to be reading the Lamplighter selection: Hedge of Thorns. Please consider joining us!
Hey, have you ever heard of a book called "Hands On Character Building"....It is written by Rick and Marilyn Boyer...I found it in a Christian bookstore that I went to yesturday...I went ahead and bought it, and am hoping it helps me in my endevors to character train the girls....
Saturday, October 20, 2007 - Saturday Psalm & Praise: God is God is God
Sometimes when I think of what I can post for the Saturday Psalm & Praise, I am just stumped. I could pick any Psalm; they are all wonderful and thought-provoking. I have had a weird week. What started out quite stressful and plain weird has turned to joy and excitement. Praise God.
After a long day of getting back into school... (Matt was on vacation for 2 weeks straight), I posted my Bio and my first Memo Monday on HSBA and entered my Photo Essay on Monday night, which was a challenge(and I love a challenge). On Tuesday, I had a long stressful day that ended at 4am with a phone call with a sweet friend. On Wednesday, I found out my Photo Essay won me the printer, and I thought I would do a happy dance - That made loading 30 pictures on dial up and formatting the text well worth it!!
Thursday brought the news about the legislation Gov. Schwarzenegger passed into law for CA public schools (makes my stomache turn and my blood boil at the same time!) and some frantic running around here that evening, trying to shoe our children, lighting candles and bringing the TV downstairs to watch the new reports of the tornadoes that were in our area. Yesterday, after Amanda and I spent time praying and deciding if we would be the new moderators for the HSB Literary Club, we had a great time brainstorming the different things we want to do with that.
I am learning that though people bring things into our lives that may concern us, weary us, or even drive us nuts, I know God is God is God. He is all we need, and He works all things together for the good of them that love Him (and people almost ALWAYS leave off the next part) and are called according to HIS purpose. That is a powerful promise. And the last part is the best part. Called according to HIS purpose. Not my purpose, nor my interpretation of HIS purpose... but HIS actual purpose. And, wow, God works on a need- to -know basis. Sometimes we don't need to know until we are called to action. Glad He has that all worked out.
I chose this Psalm for no other reason than 8 has always been my favorite number. With a birthday like 8-28-68, what can you expect? I chose the number, read the Psalm, and decided the praise verses fit what I was looking for. I felt like I was being pummelled this week, and God heard my cry. I did not have to worry that I might go down to the pit. Thank you, Father.
1Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Also... Rachel posted some beautiful pictures of Lucy Goosey onto her Raspberry Pixie Muffin blog. Isn't she a Sweetie? Here, she is wrapped in the afghan my dear friend Christina made her. She is also wearing the prairie bonnet that Miss Brielle made for her! I love my Little Blessings, and I love our friends!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007 - Summer Homeschool - Gardening, A Photo Essay
So I have been checking back over at Sprittibee's yesterday and today to see if she announced the winner. Nope. But she did do a really cute entry herself with her daughter. Today I went back and she said she had gotten the help of 6 judges and would announce it later.
So I was busy checking my mail and this is what I saw:
Heather Bee: " : ) YOU WON! "
I was so excited. All my hard work and uploading all these pictures on dial-up paid off. So just to let you all know, if you weren't on my IM or email list;
I WON THE PRINTER! YAAAAAAYYYY!!
Thank you Heather for hosting this!
I knew last winter that this year would be hard on the gardening, since I was expecting LucyLillie. I knew with an April due date, the garden would not get planted when it should, and tending to it would be hard with a newborn. We waited for the ground to be dry enough to till. Matt tried in March, and it was just too wet, so he and the girls got it done in April.
It was tilled 2-3 times before we could get out there to plant. I used the hoe to furrow the rows. I found it was the best tool to do that.
It sure did look nice with the clean dirt and no weeds. Dad gave me those silver metal stakes to put the names of the vegetables in each row. I just taped the seed packet onto each stake so we knew what was in each row. If you look closely, at the bottom left of the picture, you can see the string down the row that we used to make the rows straight.
Learning about the tilled earth and the cycle of the seed is a lesson that every child should experience. There are so many Bible and Creation lessons that can be learned just by knowing the law of sowing and reaping or how a seed reproduces after its own kind. There's the fact that we must till the earth and water it.
The ground is hard, even after tilling sometimes and must be tended to with your hands. When we plant tomatoes, we dig deep down into the dirt. Then we break off the bottom stems and plant the seedling deep so it will grow strong roots.
It feels good to get your hands into the freshly-tilled soil and plant something. You are planting something that you know will grow and produce fruit one day. Some of the best lessons and quiet times have been spent in my garden.
One thing I did was to make sure that the rows were farther apart then the width of our tiller. This made it easy to till the weeds in-between each row. It worked out rather well, and even worked when the weeds got tall!
And you must water it. Plants must have plenty of water to ensure they will grow well and flourish. We have to water each seedling after we initially put it into the ground so that the soil falls around its roots.
We make furrows in the rows and water each row individually. This ensures that each row is getting the water and the weeds aren't.
And, soon you will see the fruits, like these lovely little shoots of new lettuce.
And bean shoots, coming up like a little army.
And spinach
And then, you must still keep the weeds out. It takes a lot of work, but as with any job well done, it is well worth it! Here, Eric is digging so we can plant our seed potatoes. By the time he is finished, he will have dug a ditch 1 foot deep and piled the dirt on either side of it. Then we planted our cut-up potatoes with eyes on each piece and covered them with 5-6" of dirt. As they grew, we covered the green of the plant with dirt, until there was a mound of dirt. After the plants died off, we knew they were ready to dig up!
You must work and weed and hoe, so that the peppers keep growing. If we could keep the garden nice and brown, with the dirt like this and no weeds, that would be great. It does take a lot of work for that, though
And the tomatoes need to be weeded around too (though they seem to grow
just about anywhere). Tomato plants get so big that they need a support going up or they will literally take over the area!
Here is the broccoli. Isn't it beautiful? It will grow and grow, and you just have to cut off some of the stalk and take it in and wash it, and it is ready to cook and eat! Fresh out of the garden!
When you weed yet again... shake the dirt off the weeds before you toss them! And, for heaven's sake, don't forget your gloves!
And remember to take time to notice the sunflowers,
and the flowers on the okra plants, which are so pretty, it is worth growing the okra, just to see the beautiful flowers!
And, when you are out weeding with Daddy, you also have to have a little fun sharing your chocolate chip cookies and your toad...
and watching little creatures, like your toad, when it jumps out of your hands! Toads are fun to watch.
In between cookie batches, keep an eye on your veggies as they grow. And, keep those weeds under control, Rachel!!! Ack!!
As you are tending to your garden, take time to sketch the herbs you have planted. This is a wonderful project for the whole family. Even those who do not like to draw will participate if it is something you have all worked on together.
I had 2 children who weren't thrilled to draw, but did it when we all did it. It was interesting to see how each drew the same object differently. We plant our herbs in a pot so that I can take them into the house for the winter when it starts to get cold.
Be thankful for a nice harvest. Eric was so excited to find this giant zucchini. Zucchini are better and the skins not so hard if the fruit is smaller and less seedy, though.
When it comes time to can, be sure to clean your vegetables well. Before canning peppers, they have to be soaked overnight in a brine.
After the 24 hrs, take your peppers out of the brine and put them into the jars.
Make sure you show the Littles how to help so they like to help! It is so fun to do the work when you are little.
Read all about the proper canning techniques so you know what to do. Get Mom in on this one... even she will learn a lot!
to cook ... and cook
and can and can
Then, you will be able to enjoy the fruit of your labor
We had a lot of fun in our garden, and I wish I could post all of the pictures!!
I hope you you enjoyed it. Of course, since I am a slide in there at the last-minute kinda' gal, (sorry Heather!) it ends tonight - but my post will be up for all to enjoy!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - Wow, what a project!
Posted by Jennifer in OR
I am very,very impressed! Not just with the garden, but with your chronicling of the process. Congratulations on winning the printer, I can see that you REALLY need it!
Blessings, diaryof1.com
I am so glad we won the printer!! WOOT!!
This was a great post. So good that I have used this post in The Homesteading Carnival #21: A Little Bit of Everything Edition-http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SuperHorseSteader/73582/
Please stop by and have a look at this week's carnival!!
As Always,
Amanda
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - A Few Prayer Requests
I asked for prayer for Paul and Gena for Baby Susannah in a recent post. Gena is still having a few problems with her blood pressure, and now with her RH factor. It is very serious. Please pray for healing and peace and strength in this. Also that Susannah will be protected and grow in health to full term. She has 2 months left, and this is a critical problem that I don't want to go into. Just please pray. God is so able to protect and provide for them.
I remember when the OBGYN told me that there was a possible problem with Eric. It is a trial, and I know you all love Gena and will be happy to carry some of this burden to the LORD with them.
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I have posted An Update on Paul & Gena and Susannah Suarez! God is good, and He does answer our prayers!
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I also asked for prayer for Ashley and her family and Baby Elijah, who was born a month early, weighing in a 4#4oz. Please lift her up as well. Little Baby E is in the NICU 40 miles away from Daddy, Mommy and big brother. That would be so hard!
Please also pray for Amanda and Jocelyn (probably more like pray for me because I am a wreck when my children are so far away from me!) who are on their way to TN with my Dad. He mentioned that he was driving to Knoxville this afternoon, and we worked it out that they got to go and will get to see Auntie (that's Gena to the rest of us) and the rest of the Suarez family. So, God is good and able to provide and sets forth His Providence. It's our job to trust Him through it, as hard as that is sometimes.
Praise God for quick answers to prayers and the lifting up of prayers by friends! Robin posted a prayer request/trials post yesterday (one which I think many of us can or related to), and God is awesome. Truly Awesome.
Thank you LORD for the Hope and the Peace you bring to our troubled hearts.
I'll be praying, Jacque. I kind of suspected that Gena was having some some problems, but now I'll know specifically how to pray for her and baby Susannah. (What a beautiful name!) I saw baby E...isn't he beautiful? I'm grateful that he is in good health and pray that he'll be home in his momma's arms soon. I'll pray for you too--oh, how I understand. I hate being away from my children! We'll just trust the Lord for their safe return and for a blessed visit. I loved the pictures that Jocelyn posted of her and Amanda as littles. All I could think of was..."They just grow up too fast!"
Monday, October 8, 2007 - Matt's on Vacation.... Planning School and Other Odd Jobs
I am posting this from my homeschool blog, so if you read there, I hope it doesn't bother you. I have just been so busy this week, with Matt on vacation and such. He will be on vacation for another week, too!
I did not even post a picture of our beautiful LucyLillie yeaterday, when she turned 6 MONTHS OLD! I have been horrible about keeping up on her and other things we have done. Sorry. I would like to direct you to a recipe and a couple of other things, tho... Amy posted a special recipe just for us: Oreo Truffles. Sounds de-lish, Amy! Also, Amanda has done a fabulous job on The Homesteading Carnival #19 on her blog for this week. Eric Novak made some nice banners, too!
And, please pray with Ashley and Little Baby Elijah, and also with Gena for Baby Sus. They have both had to deal with pregnancy complications, and Little Elijah is in the NICU right now, as he was born a month early. I am sure they would covet your prayers!
Matt has been on vacation for the past week and a half. Our schedule has not been what is normally is, even without a definite regular schedule! He and Eric and the girls have gotten the barn cleaned out, pulled some stuff out of the lower garage to sell and give away, and he just had 10 sheets of drywall delivered to replace what he had to take down when he fixed the electricity. Of course, I need to get out there and get rid of a lot of what we have, and I hope to soon.
As for me, besides repeating colors with Caleb (7ds2) as he watched the orange team and the yellow team last night with Daddy, I have been going through Ebooks and curriculum we have that I had not really looked at and am figuring out how I am going to use it next week. I got the FREE The Pioneers unit study from HomeschoolEstore.com, and I am putting the worksheets together with some other Pioneer fun stuff. I got the Homeschool in the Woods Author samples when I doanted to the last Chirotoons Benefit, and I am thrilled to get to those soon. Maybe in a month or so.
It did spur me to look a little bit closer at the Creation to Christ (Beginning to 1st Century AD - World History), also by Homeschool in the Woods, that I bought a few months back. I had looked through it and really wasn't interested in what I saw. It's very nicely-done, don't get me wrong. I just didn't take the time to really look at it, because I had an idea for what I wanted to use it for, and it wasn't going to work in that manner. BUT... I am happy with it now that I see how we can use it. I spent some time looking at the instructions and ideas for the Authors' Timelines, and I then understood how these are used and I think I will keep them!
I found a site last night with Beatrix Potter stories with pictures online that I can use to make a copybook for Hannah. She got out The Tale of Peter Rabbit to write out and was having a hard time writing in cursive since she was looking at the printed words. I copied and pasted each page and made lines for her to copy onto, then I made a box on each page for her to sketch a picture of her own on. Ever since we watched Miss Potter, we have been regaled with beautiful drawings and lovely watercolour paintings of all sorts.
Truly, if you want to inspire your children to draw and sketch, this movie was inspiring. Even our Littles sat and watched it, as Peter and Miss Jemima Puddleduck came to life and were shown as seen through the eyes of the beloved author/artist. The very next day, our children had my North American Guide to Wildlife out, drawing birds, frogs, and all sorts of beautiful creatures. Voila! With no assigning from Mom... just total inspiration to capture all they could on the paper.
My Grandpa and Grandma did drive down her on Friday; thank you for your prayers. We had a delightful time, and I know it meant more to my children than it has ever before, because they know Grandpa may not be with us much longer. I am still writing them a letter, and they plan to come here on the weekend of amanda's 18th birthday, God willing. I am truly praying that our lives, ones they had never considered until recently, will be an example of God's love, and He can help me to form the words to minister to their empty hearts. You can tell that their hearts are a little more full when they are surrounded by our children.
They brought them coloring books they had in a drawer at home and some crayons, as well as an old little game (like a pinball game, where you get the little balls in the holes of the clown face). They played with that with Grandpa, and Amanda showed him what she had done to add to his WWII album. He went through every page, telling them stories and about places and people. Grandma was thrilled when we told her she could take home The Girlhood Home Companion after she looked at Jocelyn's article. They were so happy and proud of all of them. It is a special blessing to see the gap closed between those generations, let me tell you!
Well, I had better go for now. Matt and Eric are up in the new part, hanging drywall, LucyLillie has been asleep and awake 3 times since I started this, and I wonder where Isaac is..... So, I will leave you with some Food for Meditation I found over at Reflections of Calm. She asks "Where do you draw the line(Between your family and fulfilling the Great Commission)? " I can relate to what she has said, and I think many of us are put into situations where we have to choose or decide - pray and seek - what is a scriptural decision and balance for our own families. As Believers and Homeschool Moms, what do you think? I left a comment on her post.
Monday, October 1, 2007 - The 18th Homesteading Carnival: Color Edition
Welcome to the 18th Homesteading Carnival: Color Edition
This Carnival is going to be quite colorful this week. And why shouldn't it be? It's Fall, and the leaves are going all out with the colors; the green grass is being mowed for the last time before it turns to a pale gold, the mums will be blooming their shades of purple, yellow and white, and the dark creeps up a little earlier every night.
To start our colorful journey, we will take a walk down memory lane with Quiverfull Acres as she remembers the beautiful colors her Grandmother wove into her life and their family when she told her childhood tales Across the Kitchen Table. Upon these reflections, she asks herself if she is prepared to weave her own tapestry when she has grandchildren visiting someday.
Speaking of a walk down Memory Lane, Chautona of A Tribute To Childhood will warm your heart as she retells family stories. She has heard so many times, she feels like she was there in Carole Annie Get Yer Gun! Did she start a bright yellow flame or not?
Choose a color, any color. I like Mahogany. Ashley of Adventures of a Country Girl in the City is Refinishing the Table. First step: Stain. Second step: Varnish. You have GOT to see how beautiful this looks!
Ah.... the color of food. A favorite color of mine. A green salad... A roast, nice and juicy and a bit pink. I wonder what Carol has for us in 2 Mennonite Cookbooks.
Amanda of My Learning Experience has seen the many changes since Fall Is Here. Her horses are getting thicker coats of brown and white, the corn has gone from crisp green to dead brown, and the canadian geese with the black bands about their necks are flying away.
Eric Novak at The Voice of Experience shares some creative writing as he reminisces the change of the season as the trees are turning gold, russet and amber. The pumpkins are the pretty shade of yellow orange that pumpkins turn in Fall Is Here.
This one caught my eye, because we are finally using these gems to homeschool with too: Polished Cornerstones. Amy W tells you how she is using it toTeach Character Traits. She is also Training Her Children in Hospitality. The color for this one? Gold. Pure gold.
I think homeschooling is the best choice we have ever made for our children, so I would say that this one is all the colors of the rainbow. Since homeschooling is a natural thing to do on a Homestead, Chas of My Cup Runneth Over shares her Love of Lapbooking and her wonders about it with us.............
With the fall harvest, it's time to think about Stocking the Pantry. Candy has a tip to share. Rachel and I had fun canning our beautiful red tomatoes and yellow banana peppers last month, as you recall. Then, she tells us that she ended up withHow Many Pints of Tomatoes?
Amy ordered a change in the weather and got it! Way to go Amy! As of her Simple Saturday, she is surrounded by crimson and gold.
Jasmine at Ponder the Path shares her perspective on Psalm 127and the question of "How many makes a full quiver?". I love the peaceful answer she continues to share: "Let the LORD build your house, and don't labor in vain." That answer gives me a blessed assurance.
Urban Pioneer has been trying to incorporate more living foods into their diet, which means you eat more greens, and she gives Tips on Eating Raw Foods.
Miss Jocelyn Dixontells us her experiences keeping her Escape Artists penned up. Yes, she's RED... it gets her blood boiling, I think!
The Homestead Girls got a surprising look at a buck who came out of the golden corn. He was so close she counted the Points on His Antlers. Check out the pictures.
We are raising chickens for the first time, and I now know how many colors they can come in. Rhen of Yes, They Are All Mine shares her ..........story about her Chickens, Ducks and Tomatoes, Oh My! I wonder if she has any Rhode Island Reds? I am totally loving the nesting box her dh made.... WOW. Love it.
HappyCamper takes you on a photo Nature Walk at Connor Prairie, which is not to far from my own home. Looks beautiful here in IN, with all of the leaves turning orange and red and yellow and falling to the ground.
Cherie Norquay gives us tips about Making Goat's Milk Soap. Her whole blog is about soap-making. Bookmark this one! Add any color you like. A sage green makes a nice soap color.
Patti has a delicious recipe for Zucchini Parmesan Bread. Any color you slice it, it sounds delicious, but, I'll go for a light golden brown.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this Issue of the Carnival and you leave feeling quite.... hmmm... colorful!
Oh diddle, I hit the comment button, than went to do something else, and I've forgotten what I was going to say!! *LOL*
Oh, now I remember!! Should you be looking to send Christmas presents, I will take Banana Peppers!!! (this is a joke!!!) I love banana peppers, and so do my girls!!! *LOL*
Sunday, September 30, 2007 - What We've Been Up To
We are still plugging along, doing some school, a lot of work, home management, and animal husbandry. My favorite times have been those like this afternoon when I found a toad I pointed out to Isaac, hiding in some green and brown, and he looked and looked, until his delighted smile told me he found it. He carried it for only a few seconds, when I heard, "She peed on my garden shoe!". Laughing out loud was all I could do as I told him I could believe it. After a few minutes, he let Caleb hold it and carry it for a bit before they placed her back in the green she was so snugly hiding in when they found her.
Amanda- Firstborn. Almost 18. Driving now. A great help with errands and children. She is a wife/mommy in training, and I am thrilled to see what the next 5 years will bring her and us through her life. What a joyous apprehension to see your firstborn grow and grow and grow, knowing she is only growing up and toward the Lord to fly away and live her life for Him. Wow. I am blessed to be a part of it all.
Jocelyn- My British-speaking, artist/author, homebody, cleaning fanatic, girlfriend. Oh, and goat maiden. Did you know she has been published? In The Girlhood Home Companion? She is a regular columnist and author/contributor. It means a lot that she was asked by Jill Novak to write. Jocelyn is not alone in this family in her writing talent (nor her artistic hand), but she is wonderful at it.
Rachel- The middle child of 8. I think she is feeling it the most right now. She is so much the young lady and so much the youngest daughter of the 3 oldest. Such a gentle sweet spirit. She is my midnight cookie-baker. My coffee-getter and a great friend. She also gave me the Nice Matters Award (so did Joci). What a Sweetie! She is a goat maiden, too.
Eric- Is 10 the magic age when things that have been repeated and repeated start to click for boys? The attitude is fading, the understanding is starting to become evident. The work ethic is getting so much more positive. I am thankful. I am proud to have him as my firstborn son!
Hannie- It seems that all of the Littles are growing up. Hannie has been making dinner. I am not talking about hot dogs and potato chips dinner, either. I am talking chicken, cooked in the iron skillet, with mashed potatoes, green beans, peas and carrots. She has grown up since she came to me the othe night, asking if it was good, to which I replied, yes, it's delicious. "I made it all by myself." "Yes, I know you did." How proud she was, and how grown up she is becoming.
Isaac- Ah, 4. Finally a gentleman. His speech is like unto Jocelyn's; so prim and proper. He calls me "Mother". Not Mom, but Mother. He has always been articulate, and I believe he will continue to be our little Einstein.
Caleb- Little tornado. Man, can anyone keep up with this boy? I think I am going to start calling him Flash. He is talking so well now. He has not had a dirty diaper, because he goes on the toilet. He does NOT want to be a big boy. I think he enjoys Luc so much that he said he wants to be a baby, not a big boy.
LucyLillie- She is up on hands and knees now. Ever the laughing little sweetie, I know she is understanding more. She laughs and keeps her eyes fixed on her favorites. For the time being, she will sleep, unless she hears Hannie or Caleb or Daddy.
Matt has been on vacation since Thursday, and will be all week. He took us all to Dairy Queen last week, for Customer Appreciation day. Everything was 1/2 price. What an unexpected treat.
Since then, tho, he has been mowing, mowing, mowing. We had let the weeds overgrow after getting a new septic tank last fall, and it was good to be able to put the goats out there and let them browse. Boy, did they love it! Frankly, I could care less if the grass is knee-high on most of our 2 acres, but he prefers it mowed. I like the grass around the house and by the road mowed, but I like the field to be overgrown with butterflies floating across the white, yellow and purple wildflowers and dark green weeds. To have the goats out there, traipsing around takes me back a century, when life was a bit slower, tho the workload was definitely not.
We definitely have had a workload since getting the chickens. I guess that is what happens when you get chicks in July! I am really enjoying the chickens, and Eric is really taking most of the responsibility of caring for them, along with Rachel. I love to look down to the barn and see them strutting around, pecking here and there. Is "quaint" the word I am looking for? Maybe it's "homestead-y", I don't know, but I love it.
We started keeping them in a barn stall we enclosed a couple of months ago, then 2 weeks ago, Eric, Rachel and I fenced in a 20x30' area in front of the barn stall. They scratched around out there for a couple of weeks, until the grass was clean gone! So, in my inexperience and desire to solve a problem, I had Eric start bringing 5 chickens at a time up to the house. It is about 100 feet from the barn. Since I don't "know" chickens, I wanted to see what they would do. They did nothing, really. I mean, they went all over the yard, but they stayed together and were easy to corral. He and Rachel brought up 4 different group of 5.
I love watching them pecking around. It is really odd to me that something I have never known before can capture my attention for a couple of hours and just bring me a time of peace.
For the past week, we have been letting them out in the barnyard. We still have their fence up, and they know where to run for safety, but they do wander all over, in and out of the barnyard. They will walk up to the road, but have not been in it. The dog thought he would try to catch a couple with his teeth today, but a little correction, and he didn't try it again. The only thing that worried me was the black thing out in the field today. It jumped about a foot about the 2' high grass. Eric and Hannie went out to survey what creature it was and saw a cat scamper off into the corn. Great.
Amanda had 2 people come and look at the horses - which are for sale if you are in the area and interested. The lady who came used to live right around the corner, but recently bought 300+ acres and has a farm and stables. She has had her eye on Dulcy, our Appaloosa, since we got her, she said. She also gave us other info on her that we weren't too happy to hear, but she is still interested, so Amanda will probably call her this week if the guy who came doesn't call back. When I told her on the phone that a man had come to look at Dulcy while she was gone, she said in tears how she will miss her when she goes, but we all know that they are more than we wanted to handle. The previous owner wasn't very truthful about the poor mares. Besides that, they were severely undernourished, so I really feel like pretty much rescued them. I just want them to go to nice homes to someone who has time to train and spend time with them. With no children, that is. You should see the bite on Amanda's arm - there is a picture on her Homestead blog.
Matt went and bought hay last week. Did you know that hay is almost 4x as expensive in some places as it is here? I have read on the goat ring that it is over $10/square bale in TX and $11 in NC area. It is still around $3.00/bale here. We had been looking and looking... last year, we had a hard time finding anything good. Matt drove by a field right down the road and stopped and asked, and the man has several 100 bales, some of which are for sale. (Now, if only Jocelyn would start making those soaps and lotions, like she wanted to....) Goats are expensive as winter pets. Tho, for summer, they save on mower gas, as long as there is enough browse.
We watched Mrs. Potter last week too. I loved it -well, most of it. Our children have been sketching, watercoloring and drawing ever since. ;)
As for me, I have been up until 3 am for the past few weeks, being alone, thinking and writing. Not alone, mind you, really. I always have LucyLillie and another child (like now, Rachel is keeping me company). Can you believe Luc will be 6 months old on the 7th? Where do the days go? Life is full of so many wonders and God's splendors; we must stop and take time to notice the delight on a child's face, and maybe catch a few toads.
I will be posting about our homeschool happenings also.
Hey there!
This is Jessica's mom. Thought I would drop in and say Hello. I have decided to get a blog here. I will keep the one on blogger as well. I appreciate Jocelyn working on it for me. I am trying to learn this html and template stuff myself. I have added you to my friends, come by for a visit. :)
A blog carnival is a carnival (activity where bloggers go to play, look around, sit with a cuppa hot joe and read, relax with a spot of tea) held at a virtual place (my blog) where a variety of posts about one subject (homesteading) is collected and put on display for the carnival-goers (you) to come and browse, visit and experience all of the booths and rides (submissions of recipes, animal experiences, home happenings, canning, gardening, crafting, school, nature activities) by the vendors (other bloggers and friends). Sounds like fun, eh?
I am not sure where it will be held the following week, but I know Page has requested to host it. I sure hope she does; I so enjoyed her English hospitality the last time she did it.
Please Email Me your submissions. As the season is changing and we have so much to prepare for as winter will soon be rolling in, I can't wait to see all you have to share.
Here is the info I need for your submission:
Your Name:
Blog Name:
Blog URL:
Post Title:
Post URL:
Just copy that and fill it in and send it to me. If you are interested in hosting, you can let me know that too, and we will put you on The Schedule when you are available!
I found this at Julie's Life in Living Color. I really like it, though I don't necessarily think that you have to be Southern to be a "Southern" Friend.
Blessings!
-J
"FRIENDS" VS. "SOUTHERN" FRIENDS
FRIENDS: Never ask for food. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Always bring the food.And lots of it.
FRIENDS: Will say "hello". SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. More than one.
FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr.. and Mrs.. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad, and often.
FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Cry with you. And for you.
FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together. Then do the dishes before leaving.
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. And most of the time know you better than you do yourself.
FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' back-ends that left you. Then walk beside you in the front of the crowd.
FRIENDS: Would knock on your door. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!" If you are not home they will wait.
FRIENDS: Are for a while. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Are for life. And then some.
FRIENDS: Might ignore this. SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will forward this to all their Southern Friends!
Quote of the Day: "Caleb, our bodies are not coloring books; we do not color on them with marker!
Hannah, Get me a washcloth."
Amanda Dixon
I had to laugh at that one. If course, it wasn't funny as she went on about the fact that ever since the plug on the tub broke and had to be disabled, our poor Littles have been rather dirty - all the time! We used to just toss 'em in the tub, dry 'em off and re-dress. Now, it's a big process to use a washcloth, have them sit still... every couple of hours! lol.
Monday, September 24, 2007 - Welcome to the 17th Homesteading Carnival!
Welcome to the 17th Homesteading Carnival! This is edition is mainly about Autumn Harvests: Pumpkins, Squash and Apples... All signs that FALL is here! Fall is the time when the earth sheds it's summer coverings to prepare for the bare winter, and then the glorious spring. Fall is the time when we reap what we have worked for all summer and are now able to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
Sunday, September 23, 2007 - Review The DaVinci Code Movie
I did not read the book, though I would probably have the same issues of the storyline as I have with the movie.
Very intriguing movie, made on the order of National Treasure, which we liked very much. The Code has great adventure, lots of history, mystery, pretty decent acting... but, then you get to the heart of the plot, and you find out it is totally blasphemous. Not just a little issue here, like swearing or even nudity, much worse. The movie is interesting enough that you seem to not mind that it preys on the very idea you have of the Holiness of the Messiah. The pieces fall together so intruigingly that by the time you realize what the real storyline is, you want to know how it plays out.
Not only do they mock one of the biggest organized churches in history, but they present blasphemous lies in a soap opera-type story about Jesus and Mary Magdalene. I know, it's been done before. But, as filmmakers get better at making movies seem believable, so are the lies they present.
The bad thing is that there was enough truth presented in the historical aspect of it to make the lies believable. That is where the deception is. They snare you with the truth. There was actually a lot of biblical truth presented. It was a great christian movie, until about 1/2-way through, when the whole story of lies is revealed. Most people don't know the Bible well enough or even about the Bible, and a majority of the rest are so steeped in the fact that entertainment is a greater god than, well, God, a story is spun that becomes truth to the hearer. And, then, what are they going to believe? Or know? Or remember?
This is the media. satans most effective tool!
That is why I do not watch the news. For it is twisted just like this movie......and people fall for those lies hook line and sinker.
I am convinced that all secular (and some 'christian') media is typed, edited and printed by the devil himself. Lies, Lies, Lies.
We do not go to the movies or even rent movies......not because we 'fear we are going to hell' but because there is NOTHING out there worth my money!! We don't watch tv because it is garbage. We don't read the news paper, it's full of lies.........
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - Teaching Children Responsibility at Home
I just heard Jocelyn ask Hannah if she wanted to start dinner. Makes me proud.
Hannah is 7 1/2. She is in the kitchen, cooking the chicken in the iron skillet right now. She also peels the carrots and potatoes when that is on the menu, and today, she cut up all of the Brandywine and Roma tomatoes and put them into freezer bags for when we process and can them.
Part of her kitchen duties are to wash and dry the dishes and put away what she can reach. She vacuums, of course, and cleans off countertops and picks up the floors.
I am not giving you all of this to boast or to say that she is always the perfect little helper. Right now she is the perfect little helper... this afternoon - not so much. We have just had so many Moms and young girls amaze at the fact that the girls cook and clean and sew and milk goats, etc. I know that there are many who do such household tasks, but, still people are amazed.
Truthfully, Jocelyn was amazed when she played softball a couple years back, and none of the girls knew how to cook! I can't imagine cooking and cleaning like a maid for children who will grow up and expect others to do for them, instead of taking the time to do for and be proud of themselves. To feel a sense of accomplishment in a job well worth doing.
I will tell you, though, it is never to early to start. We have Caleb and Isaac help too, and they are 4 and 2. They can help. They can pick things up and put things away for themselves and their siblings. It is fun at their ages, if I don't make it a drudgery to them. They will also learn that they can pick up and put way for others, not just their own things.
We have always done things like this with the Littles, because we have oodles of pictures with them dusting, vacuuming... just helping Mommy. As our older children got older, the Littles sometimes got a little lost in it all, but we still included them in the cleaning. I mean, what do you do when you are cleaning? Put them in front of a video? NOT.
You definitely don't want to start that habit. Then, your children will get to be the age you think they should help, and they will think they should be in front of the tv or video games or computer... You do NOT want that mess!!
The later you start, the more of a battle it will be. If you start a bit late - or a lot late... ENDURE THE BATTLE! It really will be worth it in the end. Apologize for not teaching them a good work ethic and good habits, and tell them just how important it is today as a part of your family and for the future, as they have their own family.
ok... gotta go... Jocelyn just came in here with Hannah... Hannah's crying, and Jocelyn said, "I'm working them too hard!". Hannah had been cutting up an onion!
;)
Saturday, September 15, 2007 - Saturday Psalm & Praise - Let's Just Praise the LORD - Simply
Simple. This week, I need simple. A simple praise song amidst all the chaos to remind me of what is really the most important thing: Praise the LORD. That is my purpose. Not training my children, not being the perfect wife, not blogging, not even homeschooling!
These are the means by which I fulfill my purpose to Praise the LORD, but not what my focus must be on.
Let's just praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Let's just lift our hearts to heaven
And praise the Lord;
Let's just praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Let's just lift our hearts to heaven
And praise the Lord!
I read a thought this week that made me breathe deeply and sigh long. It was about chickens. It said something to the effect of: "Chickens are peaceful to watch. Chickens are simple creatures. They simply go around pecking the ground. Just simple to watch. Peaceful." No wonder I have found myself in the chicken pen so much lately. They do not act peaceful at feeding time, but it is so peaceful to watch them.
The simple life. That is what I desire. To praise the LORD in what I do. To rid myself and my days from things that take me from that.
I love the praise songs that make you think deeply and are all-encompassing. But, the simple ones that point us to Our LORD are calming, reassuring and bring peace into my heart.
blessings! -Jacque
If you would like to participate in SS&P, or you just want to read some worship songs, here is a great list: Heavenly Midis Songbook
Friday, September 14, 2007 - Family and Genealogy Searches
Amanda was online last night with a group of other homeschooler friends. They were talking about for a project they are working on and discussing domain names. We all had fun, getting our creative juices flowing, thinking out loud. We continued this morning, thinking of names and words that might encompass their ideas.
Then, I thought I might see if a couple of other domains were taken. You can check if your domain is taken of several different sites, but I just put the url in on a couple of them. You know, a big business is to buy up domains that are searched often and sell them. I remember when Spunky said that someone offered to sell her spunkyhomeschool.com for $400. Um, yeah... right. Some we looked at were:
Sillydreamer - taken.
superangel - taken.
dixonfamily - taken.
I searched the other Dixon Family domains to see if they were taken and found this: DixonFamily.net
Have you ever searched your name or your blog name on .com (or .net or .org)?
I found some very interesting Dixon family information. The Dickson/Dixon (and other derivates) family name was first found in Scotland. Early records show Thomas Dicson, a follower of the Douglas clan, at the capture of Castle Douglas in 1307. The ancient family motto is said to be "Fortes Fortuna Juvat", which is Latin for "Fortune Helps the Brave".
In his book The Border and Riding Clans and a Shorter History of Clan Dixon, (published by Albany, New York, 1888) B. Homer Dixon wrote:-
"In a charter from King Robert Bruce about A.D. 1306 to Thomas Dickson it [the name] occurs as Filius Ricardi (son of Richard) and the Charter is endorsed Carta Thomas fil Dick."
"Nesbit in his Heraldry (Edinburgh, 1722) says 'The Dicksons are descended from one Richard Keith, said to be a son of the family of Keith's Earls Marshalls of Scotland.' and in proof thereof carry the chief of Keith Marischal. This Richard was commonly called Dick and the 'son' was styled after him. The affix of son in the Lowlands answering to the prefix Mac in the Highlands."
Thomas Dickson himself has quite a history. He was associated in some way with William Wallace (of "Braveheart"), and he was killed by the English in 1307 in battle. Tradition states that he was slashed across the abdomen but continued to fight holding the abdominal wound closed with one hand until he finally dropped dead. He is buried in the churchyard of St. Bride of Douglas, and his marker shows him with a sword in one hand and holding his belly with the other. Robert de Brus (Bruce) had made him Castellan of Castle Douglas the year before he was killed
Wow. we carry so much history around in our own names!
So very interesting!
So... I searched The Starr Family, which is my maiden name. They actually shortened their name from a longer, Polish name, but I don't know what it was.
There was a LOT of information about the Starr Family Tree on one site. There was too much info to know for sure, though.. until I get a name.
My Grandmother came directly from Italy. Her last name was Harvey.
I have a letter she wrote me about how she came to America. I need to find it. It's in my wedding album, I think. It probably tells me what town she came from and her husband's name. My cousin lives in Italy now - er, she did... (Alycia - comment me if you read this, ok?) I know she has visited my blog before, because I get a visitor from the town she is in Italy.
My Mom's family name was Duvall and Verstraete. I'm not sure if that is spelled right.
My Dad's is Walters. Jocelyn was excited when I opened the page that dates Walters genealogy to Derbyshire, England. I think were from Germany, tho! She wants to be English way too much!
I wish I had time to do genealogy. I should just have Amanda and Jocelyn do that for history.... huh...? They learned so much when they worked on the photo albums for my grandparents. Amanda made my grandfather's WW2 album, and she knew a lot of the history already, because of our WWII study a few years back.
It is difficult to find things on searches, tho. I think I just got lucky on the Dixon site. Brielle's grandmother does genealogy classes in WA. She gave us her card when we got to meet them.
Wow... and if you want to know about someone- or yourself! - look at this site: Intelius.com
Not very comforting to know that someone can buy all that info about you, tho, huh? I did find some errors, tho. It had someone on there as a relation that is not a relation. same thing for my brother's name. It also has my 86yo Grandmother listed as age 56. So much for their great info!
Well, more searching tomorrow - or the next day... maybe... it sure would be time-consuming to do it daily!
Have a blessed day!
-Jacque
We are looking for some Homestead Submissions!
Please submit one by Sunday night. We would love to include your blog entry!
Thanks, The Carnival Staff!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - Silly Names and Stories
For some reason Amanda and I are in silly moods right now. So, I will let you in on a little of our silly banter.
It started with something we found over at KateyZ's blog. I am not much for silly stuff like this, but the more I read, the more I laughed.
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
BlueHeeler Express
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Neopolitan Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
Jxon
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Raspberry Goat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Starr Mishawaka
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Dixja
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Purple Frappucino
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
William Darrell (Now, that IS a Nascar name! lol!)
9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Kay Craig
10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Bernadette Beaverton
11. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Yellow Rose
12. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Pineapple Stretchy
13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Oatmeal Redbud
14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Scrapbooking Sunshine Tour
So, after this, Blondie, our lab/retriever, is whining to go out. Now, it is 11:30, and I do not want to get her in the habit of going out each night this late, so I am trying to find out when she went out last, and what she did. I told Amanda my dilemma: "Should I have her go to sleep and wait 'til morning? or should I have you (Amanda) take her out?"
Amanda said she would take her out. And, she will have no problem going out by herself at this late hour and walking 100ft to the cornfield ALONE to do it. That would be me. I have a problem with her going out there now alone. :)
Now that you have my indecisive, paranoid background on the subject, I will move on to the funny part...
Amanda, having heard me make reference to an 80s movie I never actually saw before, said, "Yes, but I'm not afraid of the people in the corn like you are." I would have been on the floor laughing but I was rocking Luc in the rocking chair, so I had to settle for a laugh out loud as I said, "Children OF the Corn.... No, that's not it... I am not worried about that."
She said she was not afraid of the children of the corn, and I said they reminded me of Chucky (which I never saw either, and neither has she - just pictures of the creepy thing). Well, Chucky creeped her out. "Ok, that dude freaks me out; I'm not taking Blondie out." I, from the other room, am still laughing. I never knew she really even knew what the freaky doll looked like... Trying to give her a less-freaky picture said something like the children of the corn were more like a mix of Chucky and Buckwheat from Little Rascals (the old one). That didn't help a bit.
"She can wait 'til morning", Amanda said.
No, she said she really wasn't afraid of Chucky and the Corn.... She knows TaeBo!
Ok.... I need some sleep. Did ya' notice? We both do!
;)
We sure are crazy. That is not a very savory convo. lol
Nope, not afraid of the corn people and chucky. I just tae-bo the little dude... he's what 1ft tall...
yeppers, I can take.
LOL!!
Love,
Amanda
I cannot believe it has been a week since I last posted on this blog. Poor neglected blog. I even missed posting about LucyLillie's 5 month birthday yesterday! We have been so busy, I feel like I am spinning in circles. Rachel and I canned quarts and quarts of tomatoes, pickled banana peppers and jalapenos for the past 3 days. Mosquitoes have been horrendous around here, and I think a majority of our time is devoted to killing them. Last week was filled with ordering Creative Memories, and I am so thankful to have that done and have had my ordered already delivered yesterday! Add the dailies and starting school this week, and I have had little time to even think.
I have never canned anything before, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending so much time with Rachel... though, I will have to say, to her credit.... she did a lot of the work. I did most of the sweating, though, I think!!
It was really a great time for us. I was so glad to spend that time with her, because Rachel is my quiet one, and I find we don't do as much together as I get to with Amanda and Jocelyn or even the Littles. I remember when Rachel was a baby that she would play for hours by herself and was such a content, sweet little girl. Since we first canned a few days ago, I have been making sure to do things with Rachel, because I want to continue to find things for us to do together. Of course, I'm sure that we will be canning more together, too! All total so far, we have done 27 quarts and 7 pints.
She asked me, "Mom, this counts for school, right?". I asked her if she did math and planning and such. Yes. In addition to that, we are going to get into the science of it: killing bacteria, the actual process of the water boiling, the pressure that causes it to "can". Great fun, easy learning, just canning.
Isaac and Caleb have been pretty restless for this past week, since the mosquitoes are in full force, and I think they are now getting a bit stir-crazy. Amanda has been doing all the driving lately, because I need to renew my driver's license since my last birthday. So... I don't let them go with her too much yet. I would love to let them out to play, but last week, Caleb went out for maybe 15 minutes, and he looked like someone beat him up, he was so swollen from bits on his face and neck. Matt was telling me today of the "mosquito jig" he did all day delivering mail and having 5 different folks sign certified mail. You know they are bad when they spray in town, and they are still so bad!
It makes me long to move, let me tell you. -To a place where we can walk outside and not be attacked. The swarms on the porch are horrible. Even the animals have a dozen in one open patch of short fur. As I sit here typing, I am being attacked and constantly having to check Lucy.
So, Isaac and Caleb and I have been spending more time playing and me chasing them back to the living room practicing bear hugs and gentle hugs. Today, I had them clean up the living room and I am focusing on them cooperating and sharing, as well as not wanting to retaliate and punch the other back when one takes something!
Amanda and Jocelyn have been busy working on different blog management and web/blog designing. Rachel is hosting The Homesteading Carnival this next week, and Amanda and Jocelyn have been busy managing it ~
Amanda has started a new blog on homeschoolblogger for Homeschool Seniors 2008, and Jocelyn has come up with a State Exploration blog that will be an assignment center includes all 50 states and a few other countries too. They are worth checking out!
Amanda, Jocelyn and I are consistently writing for the Carnival of Homeschooling, and now we are all 3 going to participate in Training Hearts' Blogger Training School. All of their web designing and writing has been hindered by the fact that our laptop has been on the fritz for about 3 months.
This has been a bane of our existence, as now it won't even write documents to disks or open them sometimes. In addition to that, we cannot get the internet on it and have to drive 3m to town to get a wireless connection for it. Matt and Amanda have taken it to FW about 3 times, only to bring it home and have it do the same things as it did before the "Geek Squad" supposedly fixed it. So, I called Best Buy(I thought) and talked to them myself. Come to find out, the $300/3 year Protection Service Plan is not under their jurisdiction, and they cannot help me (unless I want to pay them, of course!). The kid was pretty helpful, and he told me to speak to a MANAGER. He was agitated, as was I, that I specifically asked them NOT to transfer my call to the Geek Squad, and she did anyway. He said that they are basically independent contractors, not even a part of Best Buy, and she should not have done that. I think I am just going to call Toshiba on Monday.
Eric is Eric. He is my helper and my man around the house when Daddy is gone. I asked him today, after his sister AGAIN asked him to take something to the van or move something or clean up something gross, if he knew why they asked him all the time, to which he replied, "Yes, I know." Little stern smile on his face... They even ask him to get a screwdriver or feed the animals for them. He usually does it with a, "sure", though he does resent working a bit still. We are working specifically on that. Hannah is another story. She is usually his "task buddy", though not cheerfully - it seems like EVER - We're working on that too... I don't know why she gives me such grief sometimes. I had her wash the dinner dishes (no small feat in a household of 10), and she washed and put away every one. I mean, once she started, there was no stopping her! She came out happy, no complaining. I guess she needs more work, not less, and she will just do it, and eventually, without complaining. That's the plan for now, anyway.
And, Little Luc. She is now 5 months old. She is happy. She is sweet. She is quiet. She really is. She cries when she is hurt (like when Mommy's oatmeal is in front of her and she puts her arm in it!) or really needs to be held, changed or fed. She laughs all the time. All the time. She smiles really big and puts her hands up to her face and buries her head. What a cutie-pie!
Well, I think that is the update for this week. I hope I get back before then. I know you all are busy too, with school starting and summer coming to a quick close.
Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Blogger Hearts Training School - Assignment 1
A. Give a brief introduction paragraph stating how you got started blogging and your personal goals for journaling.
I started blogging on MSN Spaces to keep in touch with family across the country. Then I found HSB. Then I found HSB2. I was torn, because they were both such nice communities. I hadn't really thought of the community of bloggers. So, I got this blog to write about our homeschooling and family. Then, I started writing more about homeschooling and its benefits, methods, etc, so I got one on HSB2 to journal family posts.
My goals? hmmm.... I never thought about having blogging goals. I wish I could journal everything. I'm on here more than I'd like, actually, and I don't seem to ever get it all done even so. I probably need to copy some of the girls' posts to my homestead blog. We all blog about our family life, so sometimes I don't blog what they do.
I blog what I think is important or on my heart... and what I have time for.
B. Share a “dream” place to blog in picture if you can. Suggestions…..a rock on the beach, under a tree at a park….take or find a picture(s) that would best describe a PLACE that you would LOVE to blog. DREAM!
I don't have a dream place. I really don't. I look outside at the huge maple tree and down to the barnyard in front of our big beautiful red barn, and I just wish we owned more land, and our home was somehow moved to Texas, NM or Arizona. Other than that, I haven't found my dream bank account that will afford us our dream ranch and dream moving van that will drive itself the 1600m for free! But, I will keep looking, for sure.
I'd actually blog outside right now if I had wireless and the mosquitoes were gone. My dream is not about a place, but a time. A time when there are no other needs.
That is why you will find me, like a zombie, sucking on Dr. Pepper or a carmel iced-cafe mocha at 2am (when I'd rather sleep then and get up at 6am), because I am not needed for a dozen other things at that time or chasing Caleb from the refrigerator to the bathroom, back to the kitchen, where he is looking for something - anything - to drink, including my Dr. Pepper.
So, peace at 2am, until Lucy (or Isaac or Caleb) wake up and I am called away.
C. Answer some questions to tell us more about you:
What time do you usually blog? When it's quiet or I have a couple of minutes to sneak in here.
What is your favorite drink?
LOL. that's funny that I answered both of these questions above. I have a bit of a Dr. Pepper thing, for some reason. I really do enjoy iced coffee, though. I drink water and iced tea too...
What is your favorite book?
A favorite book? My favorite one to skim is probably The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach. If I had time to read, I'd probably say Pride and Prejudice. I love the BBC version movie of the book. That and Dickens' Bleak House.
What is your favorite dessert? I am totally *not* picky, so I have no idea. I used to like Oreos. I like pies. Creamy chocolate something. Rachel was looking for a recipe to post tonight, and the Frozen Chocolate Cream looked very good.
Hannah is helping me with pictures right now, and she agrees that this looks scrumptious!
Share a scripture that has been an inspiration in your growth with Christ.2Chronicles 7:14 was a favorite of mine for some time. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Then, Jeremiah 29:11 had a great impact on me. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Now, I am just hungry for whatever the Word has for me. I actually enjoy reading the Old Testament now. I am seeing Scripture, especially in the OT, differently now, since I read the HOWTA.
EXTRA CREDIT FUN:
This week make a commitment to visit 10 classmates blogs and leave them a comment. If you make this commitment, then put a ” * ” (asterisk) by your name when signing Mr. Linky.
Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Saturday Psalm & Praise - Our Father Which Art in Heaven
I thought I might post this week's Saturday Psalm & Praise early to give you a reminder and a chance to see what it is I am doing with the meme.
A prayer and song all wrapped up in one.
~Our Father~
We listen to different worship CDs most of the week, so I have several songs I think about posting all week. I don't know why I chose this one, because I haven't heard it of all the great songs I have heard this week. I think the first time I heard it sung as a song was when my sister sang it for a wedding. Growing up and going to catholic school and church, I knew part of this prayer like the back of my hand. I didn't even know the last line existed in the prayer. We always stopped at "deliver us from evil". That is weird to me now. I heard the last part sitting in a pentecostal church service the first time, and I thought, "wait a minute, what was that?" It didn't sound right. I didn't know that was on there. I knew the Our Father, but I had never read it *in* the Bible. Thanks be to God I learned that I needed the Salvation of Jesus to cleanse me, because I was still a sinner, needing God's grace.
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
I have heard it sung a few different ways, but I think my favorite is the way they have Paul & Silas sing it on the Nest video of Paul's Ministry. A little operatic, but a brotherly-type melody.
blessings! -Jacque
Now... *if* you post a Praise song, a Psalm or a Hymn on a post on your blog, please sign Mr. Linky below with the link to your post and put Mr. Linky on your post.
Sunday, September 2, 2007 - Spraying For Mosquitos
I am so happy we live out of town!!
We have had a lot of mosquitos in the past 2 days, but as we sit in town, using the wireless, because our phone line is down, they are spraying for the mosquitos.
HOW GROSS! Now there is a thin layer of the fog sitting on the air.
I understand the problem with West Nile... so, let's kill more people slowly, then, huh?? By poisoning them with the pesticides!!!!
they spray once a year, right as summer hits due to malaria and dengue fever........now that i think about it, this year we haven't heard of many cases. alot is because people just keep tires and flower pots and let the water just sit there having a big breeding ground.
Yes, I totally understand... we are constantly adding natural organic pesticides to our water patches. We add Basic H a lot... and, we dump other little water catchers. We put Apple Cider Vinegar in the animals' water too.
Wow... Taiwan. I'm sure there are other health concerns there, huh?
I am probably getting more doses of the poison than anyone,LOL. They spray by my home every month. But they do wait till late at night when everyone should be in bed, at least.
Kitty
Saturday, September 1, 2007 - Saturday Psalm & Praise-In The Garden
In The Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling
And He walks with me And He talks with me And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known
- Words and Music by Charles Austin Miles, 1913
Miles gave the background to this beautiful hymn in his own words:
Quote: "I read the story of the greatest morn in history. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet very dark, unto the sepulcher. Instantly, completely, there unfolded in my mind the scenes of the garden, where out of the mists comes a form, halting, hesitating, tearful, seeking, turning from side to side in bewildering amazement. "Falteringly, bearing grief in every accent, with tear-dimmed eyes, she whispers, 'If Thou has borne Him hence.' "He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing. He said to her "Mary!" "Just one word and forgotten are the heartaches, the long dreary hours, all the past blotted out in His presence." End of Quote.
Saturday, September 1, 2007 - Trying to Get Rid of Some Schtuff
I have a new blog set up on Homeschoolblogger to list my Schtuff for sale. We have sold on Ebay for the past 5 years, and I am going to see how this goes.
If you are interested, the link is: Schtuff From My Shelves -Jacque
Friday, August 31, 2007 - Book Lists To Participate In
**STICKY**
I started a couple of new lists/memes/linky's on Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths that you may want to partake in: Other Book List Linky's: (Some are posted, others will be posted soon)
You post your list and sign the linky, then put the Linky on your post, and others sign it. It puts several lists on the Linky, making it easy to find many lists at once! Nifty, eh?
An Eight-Session Audio Seminar on Ten CDs
by the Maxwell Family
Encouragement For the Homeschool Family
Encouragement for the Homeschool Family is an eight-session audio seminar which will encourage, exhort, and equip homeschooling families.
Encouragment for the Homeschool Family Album Contents
2 CDs The Homeschooling Family: Building a Vision (for families)
1 CD Managers of Their Homes (for ladies)
2 CDs Manager of His Home (for men only-this is the full, unabridged version)
1 CD Loving Your Husband (for ladies)
1 CD Sports-Friend or Foe? (for families)
1 CD Anger-Relationship Poison (for families)
1 CD Experiencing the Joy of Young Womanhood (for young ladies)
1 CD Success or Failure-Where Are You Headed? (for young men)
We mix our own goat feed and now our own chicken feed. We are also going to be mixing our own feed for the horses (which are for sale, btw, in case anyone is interested). I thought I would check what there is out there for our dogs. They don't eat much, but we sure do buy a lot of dog food. And, they aren't even that big! Pemberley, who is now on a tether in the barnyard, since he won't stay in the fence, would rather eat goat droppings and grass.
So, I thought about just feeding them the goat feed. I didn't know if that would be enough for their nutritional needs, though.
Organic Authority describes these 5 reasons why organic is better, even for your dog:
1. Reduction of skin ailments and allergies.
2. More energy and a healthy weight.
3. Fewer digestive disorders.
4. Better overall health and stronger immunity.
5. Quality of Life and Longevity.
This answers some of my question:
"Superior sources of grains and proteins and a lack of chemicals and artificial substances makes organic dog food more digestible.
Easily digestible oats, barley or other natural whole grains and human-grade turkey, lamb or chicken make a tremendous difference to your dog’s digestive system. Rather than consuming corn or other bulk fillers and chemical additives, your dog will ingest only what it needs for healthy metabolic functioning. Dogs eat and eliminate less when they are on an organic diet. "
The dogs eat a diet based on raw meaty chicken bones. This makes up about 75% of their main diet. The rest is made up of crushed veggies, fruit, organ meat, beef bones, some starches and raw meaty chicken bones.
My choice for their main diet was based on price considerations. Because of this I also try to use Turkey a lot if I can find it. Actually in Seattle the dogs were eating a diet high in turkey backs & necks and doing quite well. Out here chicken is more plentiful.
A sample menu goes like this:
MONDAY RAW meaty chicken bones. 3/4lb to 1lb per dog.
TUESDAY Mushed veggies, supplements, liver or kidney. (2-3 cups of 'veggie slop' per dog.
WEDNESDAY RAW chicken quarters. (1lb per dog)
THURSDAY Mushed veggies, supplements, canned mackerel.
FRIDAY RAW turkey backs/necks.
SATURDAY Baked yams, & supplements.
SUNDAY Breakfast: raw beef bones. Dinner: raw turkey back or neck per dog.
The next week, it would be totally different with maybe all 3 'non bone days' being veggie meals, or one being replaced with a dairy meal. I also will grind beef heart to add to their veggies, or occasionally cottage cheese or even a little of our leftovers.
Supplements can include the following: (* denotes normally used) Flax Seed/Oil*, Vit C*, Vit E, Kelp* Cod liver oil, Torula Yeast, lecithin granules, oil of Evening Primrose, aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar*
I give each dog a raw beef bone about once a week or so. These have totally replaced rawhides & nylabones in this house. Within a day, the bone has been chewed, cleaned and polished and is demoted to the 'used bone pile'. These come out when there are no fresh ones to amuse the troops. A bone fast is advisable, up to once a week. My kids get one every other month or so :).
Veggies include, carrots, Spinach, cabbage, kale, parsley, zuchinni, bok choy, collard greens, mustard greens, radishes, leaf lettuce, brussel sprouts, celery, and anything else that's available. Generally at least 4 kinds and it varies according to season. (NOTE: please don't give onions, they can cause anemia in dogs, and build up over time.)
Squash is a HUGE favorite here, any kind. I grind them up and give it raw. I also try to include fruit once a week. This can be apples, bananas, kiwi, oranges, pear or whatever is in season. My dogs ate a LOT of homegrown plums this year.
Starch is normally sweet potato, or beans (yes I know they're actually a legume!)
Treats can include peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, raisins, liver cookes, baby carrots, or anything healthy we're eating.
I put apple cider vinegar in the water daily. (for trace minerals -- this is what has really helped Breeze's allergy.)
I think the most important thing to remember is that you're balancing over a 3 week period. One day of junk food isn't going to kill your dog. I keep 'emergency meals' on hand. One is organic brown rice baby food. Add a little water, milk, flax oil, seameal & viola! A 5 minute meal. When travelling my dogs have gotten McDonald's hamburgers (onions removed!), spaghetti is a big favorite here and that serves as dinner when we have it. Again this is OCCASIONAL.
Overall the veggie meals take approximately 20-30 minutes to prepare. The bones no time at all. The veggie meals are ground in my food processor, placed in a bowl, then I grind the meat (if necessary) add that, & supplements, mix & serve.
One of the fun things about this diet is the treasure hunting in the grocery stores. I always look for meat bargains and will buy and add almost anything. One time I found some lamb stew meat for .79 a lb, that came home and served as a veggie base. After Thanksgiving a lot of places had Turkey livers on sale.
Now that I've been doing this diet for almost a year, I've varied it slightly. Changes include: Added eggs. Each dog gets a whole egg 3X a week. Raw. I started this when Sabre seemed to be scratching slightly. After adding the eggs this has gone away. (thanks to the BARF list for suggesting this!) I've also changed the veggies. During the winter quality veggies are hard to find and expensive. I cut down the veggie amt to twice a week. I also have decided that it's really important to give the dogs mackerel once a week. (for my 4, 2 16oz cans are added to the veggies). This gives them lots of omega 3 fatty acids. I have also cut out all grain MEALS. While they still get sandwiches, I try to keep it to a minimum. The dogs are in wonderful coat and even the coat blowing is down. Their condition is amazing.
I did research a few others, but this one seemed the simplest. I copied the whole article, in case it disappears, so I can refer back to it.
Here is another good site: Volhard Holistic Care Articles by Wendy Volhard
This has a lot of info on dogs, carnivores, proteins, deficiencies, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, enzymes, etc. A lot of good scientific info. What a lot of great homeschool info!
So, I am going to calculate whether this is even feasible, since we are buying 1 bag a week for Pem and Blondie. I read on one of the links that the lady feeds her dog 1x a day, and she is the healthiest she has ever been. She said she will even fast on her own, even with just the 1 feeding a day.
I am going to call the meat market and see if they have bones leftover they sell.
We do feed them raw goats milk, which has calcium in it, as well as all the other benefits. At this time, as long as I supplement with a meat source and bones, I think feeding them the goat/chick feed looks like it will work. The horses eat it, too, sometimes, and since their protein need isn't so high, we can actually mix it with oats or barley to cut that back.
Any experience or suggestions in this area, homesteaders?? blessings, Jacque
I had a friend telling me about this just the other day!! How interesting it all sounds I wonder though.. if I fed my dog raw meat would he want to then eat my free range chickens? I would be really interested in what you are feeding your goats as well. We are always learning over here at AB RANCH! Have a wonderful weekend with your family!
Thursday, August 30, 2007 - Reminder: Submit your Homesteading posts to the Carnival!!
The 14th Homesteading Carnival coming up this next week!! Thank you to all who have hosted it for the past 13 weeks. It has been a fun adventure and quite a success!! Page at Shekinah'sis hosting the 14th Carnival!
Your post may be submitted to The Homesteading Carnival by EMAIL by Sunday night at 6pmEST to be included is this Carnival.
Jacque
Since I have spent a lot of the past few days and several months making gates for the barn and stalls, I thought it was pretty amusing that I received this in my Inbox today:
How To Build Long-Lasting Gates by Troy Griepentrog
Whether you're building a gate for a wooden privacy fence or building
a swinging gate for livestock fencing, there are some basic, but
important, things to remember when you're designing and building a
gate. Follow these tips to make your gate last longer and reduce
maintenance.
Cross brace correctly
We all have a mental image of a gate (or a barn door) in our minds,
and most often that image involves a brace that makes a Z-shaped
pattern in the gate. Which direction should that brace go? (You didn't
know there was going to be a quiz, did you?) The question is this:
Should the brace
A. start toward the top of the side nearest the hinges and slope down
toward the side with the latch, or
B. start at the bottom of the side nearest the hinges and slope up
toward the top of the side with the latch?
If you answered "B," you're right! The reason is that the weight of
the gate compresses the brace. If you use this method, your gate is
much less likely to sag than if gravity is pulling the brace and the
hardware holding it together. The brace material will only compress so
much before it reaches its limit, but it will stretch out much
further.
Stop sagging: cable and turnbuckle
Quiz question #2: When adding steel cable (or wire) to support a gate,
does it follow the cross brace line or does it cross it to make an
"X"?
Answer: The support cable starts toward the top of the side of the
gate nearest the hinges and slopes down toward the side with the
latch, forming an "X" with the brace.
Although cable will stretch over time, you can add a turnbuckle in the
middle so that you can tighten it as the cable stretches. If you're
building a gate for livestock and aren't so concerned with aesthetics,
loop wire back and forth so you have several strands and run a short
stick between the wires so it's perpendicular to the wires. Then turn
the stick several times so that the wires wrap around themselves,
becoming tighter with each turn. Be careful when you let go of the
stick or it will spin like a propeller -- especially if the wire isn't
stiff or if the stick isn't long enough to catch against the gate.
Align hinges carefully
Here's the tricky part. If the pivot point of the hinges isn't on a
perfectly straight line, they'll bind and creak as you move the gate.
If they're really out of alignment, the gate won't swing at all. If
the edge of the gate or post is perfectly straight (check it with a
level or square), you can usually simply align the hinges along the
edge of the gate or post -- turn them to 90 degrees of being opened
and they provide a naturally straight edge to position against the
piece you're attaching them to. Using this method generally leaves a
small gap between the post and the gate, which reduces pinching.
Another option is to snap a chalk line (or draw a line with a straight
edge) and align the hinges accordingly. The gate will swing if the
hinges are aligned, but if the pivot points aren't plumb, the gate
will likely swing open or closed when you let go of it.
If you want more details on building fences and gates, visit http://www.MotherEarthNews.com, search for "gate" and read the "The
Gate That Keeps On Swinging" and "Wood Fences."
Do you have more gate-building tips? Share them in the comments
section below.
There you have it! How to build a great gate... in case you wondered ! LOL.
Yesterday, I got 1 of 2 gates built we need for the 8 1/2 foot opening on the bottom front of the barn. What a better way to spend my birthday!
Last night, late, I had some back problems, so I haven't gotten to work on it at all today, but I am almost done with the 2nd one. At least now, when I am working in the barn, I will be able to have the doors open and have some air circulation without having goats and horses busting through!!!
And our chickens are flying over the 1/2 wall I made now, so I am going to have to get that finished.... hmmmmm. When can I let them out in the yard, anyway?
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - Genetically Modified Food Sources... Did that say chocolate?
I posted awhile back about genetically engineered or cloned meat that was already in the grocery stores- Gross! Now, this is just as alarming. I'm telling you: Grow it yourself without pesticides, anti-biotics, etc. or buy organic!
Genetically Engineered Foods -- A Source of Rising Food Allergies?
The huge jump in childhood food allergies in the US is in the news often1. But most reports fail to consider a link to a recent radical change in America's diet.
Beginning in 1996, bacteria, virus and other genes have been artificially inserted to the DNA of soy, corn, cottonseed and canola plants.
These unlabeled genetically modified (GM) foods carry a risk of triggering life-threatening allergic reactions.
Evidence collected over the past decade now suggests that they are contributing to higher allergy rates. Scientists have long known that GM crops might cause allergies, but there are no tests to prove in advance that a GM crop is safe.2 That's because people aren't usually allergic to a food until they have eaten it several times.
"The only definitive test for allergies," according to former FDA microbiologist Louis Pribyl, "is human consumption by affected peoples, which can have ethical considerations."3 And it is the ethical considerations of feeding unlabeled, high-risk GM crops to unknowing consumers that have many people up in arms.
Other headlines include:
UK Experiences Alarming Rise in Soy-Related Food Allergies
Creating New Proteins in a Lab -- Good For Your Health?
What If Bizarre Genes Start Transferring To Humans ...
The only published human feeding study on GM foods ever conducted on GM foods showed that parts of the gene inserted into GM soy ended up transferring into the DNA of human gut bacteria.
Genetic Engineering: An Exact Science... Or A Mutation Disaster Waiting To Happen?
Eating More Herbicides In The Name Of "Progress"
By 2004, farmers used an estimated 86% more herbicide on GM soy fields compared to non-GM.9 Higher levels of herbicide residue in GM soy might cause health problems. In fact, many symptoms identified in the UK soy allergy study are also related to glyphosate exposure.
The allergy study identified irritable bowel syndrome, digestion problems, chronic fatigue, headaches, lethargy, and skin complaints including acne and eczema, all related to soy consumption.
Symptoms of glyphosate exposure include nausea, headaches, lethargy, skin rashes, and burning or itchy skin. It is also possible that glyphosate's breakdown product AMPA, which accumulates in GM soybeans after each spray, might contribute to allergies.
I found this interesting and disgusting:
Ohio-based allergy specialist John Boyles, MD, says, "I used to test for soy allergies all the time, but now that soy is genetically engineered, it is so dangerous that I tell people never to eat it -- unless it says organic."11
But, Why?? Organic foods are not allowed to contain GM ingredients.
Buying products that are certified organic or that say non-GMO are two ways to limit your family's risk from GM foods.
Another is to avoid products containing any ingredients from the seven food crops that have been genetically engineered:
1. soy,
2. corn,
3. cottonseed,
4. canola,
5. Hawaiian papaya, and
6. a little bit of zucchini and crook neck squash.
This means avoiding:
1. soy lecithin in chocolate,
2. corn syrup in candies,
3. and cottonseed or canola oil in snack foods.
Wha-huh?? did that say chocolate?
Now, do you see why that diet is NOT working? All kidding and chocolate aside... We are defeated before we even try to eat healthy!
I mean, we are eating organic, but take a gander at all of those items no one considers when buying organic!
Here in the UK, 'organic' is a licenced term, you can't use it, unless you're certified, and inspected. The major certifying body, The Soil Association, is now considering allowing a certain percentage of GM within Organic Certification. What a con! So even if it says 'organic' it still won't do! It will have to say 'organic' and 'no gm' - but you're right, there is a huge backlash against gm in this country. I'm cross our government didn't pick up on that, and, as we're an island after all, declare us a gm free zone.
Well done for getting the word out on how harmful these toxins really are!
Jackie
Monday, August 27, 2007 - The 13th Carnival of Homesteading, a Contest, and Pioneering
The 13th Carnival of Homesteading is up at Simple Folk. She did a beautiful job, and with all of those pictures, too!
Amanda, Jocelyn and I each entered a post, so you know you can have one ready for next week. It will be held over at Paige's next week.
The post I did, "How Did The Pioneer Women Do All of This?", is something I have been pondering for quite some time. Take a look at the Carnival for some yummy recipes, a great family project, food, of course, and a special post about a Beloved Friend. Don't you feel warm and fuzzy already???
Another tidbit I want to share is a contest up on ServingtheKingofKings- International Blog Day Giveaway!Do you know that next Friday, Aug. 31st, is International Blog Day? The prize package includes the following international items: a handcrafted coaster ornamented with seashells from the Philippines, a girl in kimono bookmark from Japan, 2 matching pairs of chopsticks (brand new) from China, a traditional triangular pillow key chain from Thailand, and a beaded flag pin from USA.
All you have to do is leave her a comment and link her post! The deadline is next Friday, Aug. 31st, "International Blog Day" at midnight (Eastern time)/9 p.m. (Pacific time).
Well, I'll let you go now, because I just gave you some great links to follow!
teehee
Sunday, August 26, 2007 - ON WT How Did The Pioneer Women Do All of This?
They say necessity is the Mother of invention...
You have no idea how many times in the past 2 months I have asked myself, "How did the pioneer women do all of this?". How did they do all of the planting and harvesting and cooking and cleaning and laundry and canning, and... and.... sheesh - take a breath! I read an older post on a friends' blog last night(she has 6 children), and she was asking how moms with a dozen children do everything they do. Then, top all of that with the fact that the girls have been wearing their prairie bonnets all over that Brielle sent them as a sweet gift, and I had to find an answer to this perplexity that has been bugging me so much lately.
Today, I went out to make some stands for the chick feeders and waterers, and I am out there, with the Littles and a couple of older children. They came out to help, and kind of withered away in the help department after they carried up a few small pieces of wood. Now, you know, I have had a hard time keeping the garden weeded and stalls repaired and built, the housework done, because I have a beautiful little LittleLucyLillie to tote around. I absolutely do not mind the toting; it's the work that doesn't get done that bothers me. I can hardly strap my LittleLuc on my back and go out and work in the barn yet... and pulling weeds in the hot sun with the little pumpkin on my back is out-of-the-question. Well, at least until she is 6 months old, anyway. Anyway, today, Amanda was holding the Raspberry.
So, again... I ask myself, "How did these pioneer women do all of this?". All of this WORK? I mean, they had no running water, no electricity. They had to GROW ALL THEIR FOOD... in the garden or in the fields and store it for the entire year. And, did their children complain about having to work? I know Junior didn't have to mow the lawn, but did he complain about all the other tasks he was responsible to do?
Did little Suzy complain when she had to go and help with the bread-baking and laundry-scrubbing?
Watching Little House on the Prairie does not qualify me to live the pioneer life. I really want to know how this was done. And I'm sure I don't know nearly as much about pioneer life as I used to think I did.
Never fear, as I looked over some planning notes for homeschool, I thought again, "Why not just take a look at Pioneer info, just to see what comes up?", so keyboard in hand, I googled 'work "in the pioneer days" '. It came up with a lot of interesting info about pioneer life. As I perused everything from how to build a house to what foods they planted to candle-making and root cellars, I thought how much I would love for our children to learn some things, instead of just thinking they know, too. We take a lot for granted in this day and age. No matter how strong our faith is, it seems to me that we don't have to have much faith sometimes. These families had to have faith. They didn't have a heater that almost always worked. They couldn't run down to their local grocery or gas station and just pick up something they needed to bake bread.
These women were planners, and they were diligent, because if they weren't, they would die. Period. They had to teach this to their children, because their children would have to know it for adulthood. Besides, they knew the value of many hands lightening the load. They understood that you slept in the same bed with your siblings so you wouldn't literally freeze to death, instead of crabbing, because they wanted their own little rooms all to themselves.
We watched Pioneer House on PBS a couple of years ago, and I couldn't believe how people treated each other and did not want to do the work that was necessary to live by. They had agreed to live as a pioneer family and abide by the ways of the 1800s era in every way, and then, some of them even crossed into this century and went to a little shop and bought some pies and other sweets and treats. I mean, yes, it was hard work, but, what? It was not long that this family just quit doing what was necessary to live. The husband got all skinny and really sick... They lacked the diligence and the understanding of life out on the prairie. It was really life and death. You don't harvest enough hay and grains for your animals... um, you don't get to run down to Tractor Supply for some straw. The guy who was wise and saved more than you did it to sell for profit... he gets yours.
Diligence.
Hard Work.
Working Together toward a common goal.
Planning for the future.
Teaching it all to your children.
I found so much information on pioneering, I think there may be too much to learn! That won't stop me though! I am now in the process of reformatting some of the plans and ideas that I found online. I know we have a few American Girl cook books and craft books to get out and look at. Jocelyn had researched the 1800s lifestyle and etiquettes and different information for her novel, and it will be interesting using her book as a resource for our Unit Study.
I have said many times that I was born in the wrong era/century, thinking how nice it would be to have a simple life, tending the children and the garden, teaching them. And, now, our lives have been so simplified, and it still isn't simple enough, because it seems that is all we do, and I am still wondering how to do it all. Having 2 goats a year ago was a lot different than having 5 more with the 2 milking now. Of course, then there is the fact that we no longer grab a bag of feed and give it to them. We mix our own formula of grains and then we also graze them in a sort o 'goat tractor' everyday. Jocelyn has taken over this daunting task, of course, but it still involves the entire family. The biggest problem with the horses is keeping up with stall repairs and locks on the doors, so there isn't much work there, though Amanda would tend to disagree, since she shovels the stalls each morning!
Right now, we are caring for the 60+ chickens we have down in a stall in the barn. I just put up an inside door to the stall, but the outside top stall door broke off, so we have that and some pasture gates and fence built... time and money, my friend! I wish I had been taught about planning. It's hard to keep up with everything while you get things in order and fixed, too.
So, I will be researching the pioneer days. We will be living it out. I would really like to go without electricity for a week, but I don' thing dh will go for that! (Yikes!! Can you imagine-- the girls and no blogging privileges for a whole week!!)?? There are, however, many other ways to experience the pioneer days here in IN. In a few weeks is the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne, and I want to go. I need to look at the schedule and see how I can fit that into the schedule... er, the other way around!
It will be interesting to study the pioneering from the standpoint of our own state and local area. I know there are historical markers all over that we can go and experience and discuss and dream about 'how it all was back then'.
Whatever direction this takes us in, I know it will be fun and we can cover any kind of topics about pioneering we seem to find interesting. Hopefully, I can find some relief for my question about how the Pioneer Women did it. I just don't think I will ever really understand their plight, short of living it out. I know one place to start though... I am positive they got to bed before 3 am every night. *That* is what I want to start with. Enough sleep to get up at the crack of dawn.
This post is a part of The 13th Homesteading Carnival. Please take a few moments and look at the beautiful Carnival posted at Simple Folk.
It is also a part of the Carnival of Homeschooling and the Carnival of Education... Check them out!!!!.
Blessings to you!!!
-Jacque
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - Grocery Shopping Tuesday, etc.
Today was a great day. Jocelyn told me the other day that our house used to be cleaned spotless once a week, because I used to take the Littles with me grocery shopping. She and Amanda have been going now for the past few weeks. Jocelyn really likes to clean the house, er, maybe she just loves a clean house!
In other news, yes, we have completely flipped our lids. I got LucyLillie a blog. Yup. I got my 4m old a blog of her own. Scratch that... we got her 2 blogs... One on homeschoolblogger and one on homesteadblogger. We're weird, I know. It was all Jocelyn's doing, really. She said that we needed to get Lucy's nickname as her username before anyone else did (not that I think anyone else would use RaspberryPixieMuffin), so we did.
We did have fun setting it up, and they are all going to have fun picking out pictures and colors for her templates. Jocelyn set one up for Hannah, too. Since Hannah is reading now and she likes to type too, so she can type out some posts every once in awhile, and soon she'll have swarms of friends like the older girls do, probably.
So, after all of the fun setting up the blogs, Amanda and I took the Littles and went shopping. We went to Spring Creek, our local little market we shop at every week. We tried to go every other week last spring, and we found out that our refrigerator(s) aren't big enough to hold food for 2 weeks. sugh. much to my dismay, because I would love to shop for the entire month, as much as I hate to shop!
Before we left, Caleb had done it again... he has demolished 3 pacifiers now in the past week by biting a good-size hole into each of them. One of the benefits of taking him to the store is that he takes a nap at a decent time... he did get one, just without a pacifier.
I seriously considered getting him another one when we went grocery shopping, but I told him yesterday and the day before to stop chewing on this last one, because I would not buy him another if he bit a hole in it. And, considering we bought some shampoo & conditioner and some things on sale, we spent more than our set budget, I decided he could do without.
I don't know if it will be poor Caleb or poor us with no pacifier, but we will just have to do this as the 'bye-bye pacifier time'. He stopped nursing awhile back :(, so he will have to fall asleep on his own. He does fine in the car seat and rocking chair, so he'll be fine.
When we finally got home, all the troops came out and helped take all the boxes of groceries into the house, and I think Miss Rachel put everything away, single-handedly. I hadn't eaten much today, so I was anxious for dinner to be made and served, but we can't so that until everything was put away, anyway.
Everyone wanted a bowl of cereal to snack on, since that was one of our splurges (Mom always says that, funny, huh?) at the store... I hardly ever buy cereal, except for oatmeal and grits. the cereal rule is they can't eat it in the morning, just as a snack.. and no milk. today, everyone was so hungry (since grocery day was a couple of days overdue!) that I let them have milk with their cereal. Double treat.
We hardly drink any milk. Caleb does *not* like it. I will only have it with my coffee, tea or cookies, and for the most part for everyone else, it's only with cookies. Nope, I do not like them to eat cereal for breakfast, but rather eggs and bacon or just eggs... or even a piece of fruit and oatmeal. No cereal.
You know what Willie Wonka says cereal is, don't you?
"It's those little curly wooden shavings found in pencil sharpeners"
So, Rachel and Jocelyn asked about dinner, and I told them to bread and fry the smelt I got at Kroger's. and some fried potatoes. Smelt... I don't know if I have had that since we have been married. I think maybe one time. We used to have it a lot when I was younger.
While I was waiting for dinner, I thought maybe- just maybe I could build some stands for the chick feeders, but I was wrong. I went down to get on that, and there were other things to do - like, calling Amanda down to the barn to fix where the horses ate the wood between their stalls. And the hay that was haphazardly strewn on each side of the haypile to be picked up--- I guess I will be adding a "What to do before you leave the barn" list to our Tasks and Responsibility List!! UGH. It seems that everytime I have work to get to, I have to fix something else first. I still need to get the hinges for the chick door. Maybe I will remember tomorrow!
I had a lovely LONG chat yesterday with Jill novak, author and artist extraordinaire. Really; I have been listening to one of her conference CD's, and I think she is fantastic.. I couple that with her book, The Gift of Family Writing, and you need to read it. I told her at the start of the conversation I didn't have much time to talk, but you know how that goes when you have a lot in common!
It started raining and then storming about 2am. A week ago, I would have loved more rain, but the barn was so wet and yucky, I hope it's the last of it for a week. It was lightening, so I had to get off, but that was ok, because my internet started acting up about then anyway.
So, I am sitting here at my usual 3am... It is totally storming, so we had to pull the plugs and the phone cord, and I am on the laptop offline.
Man, if I blogged about everything we did everyday, I think the post would take me as long to type up as the day.
On a weirder than the Willie Wonka remark side... have you ever seen or even heard of the movie Zathura? It's kind of a sci-fi humorous movie about 2 brothers who end up living the space game they are playing.
blessings and good night!
-Jacque
Yes, Ma, that is what smelt is: fish.... I guess I thought everyone knew that... lol...doesn't everyone know everything about my life experiences?? lol
Wearing myself out.... UGH!
I was reading kayinpa on blogspot yesterday, and she was talking about her exhaustion factor, since she has a new baby... and her nap schedule....
I finally realized, "Hey- I have a 4month old!" I *should* be resting up!! Too much to do, I guess!!
She was actually contemplating the verse I based the name of my blog on: Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
This scripture is the reason I named my homeschool blog that. I got it from the Elijah Co. catalog a few years ago. It so impressed me as a freeing way to live - seeking the ancient paths to God and what He has ordained in our lives.
I love the way she described it. She said she had been looking at the wrong side of the coin. She had been considering all the things a Believer shouldn't do to live in God's ways, seeking Him. She considered looking judgmental toward others who don't live as she does. She very wisely came to the conclusion that the scripture says nothing of not seeking the Ancient Paths... It speaks of seeking the ancient paths and the blessing from doing so - obtaining rest.
So many times, in our family, as we have minded our own business, we have been accused of having a superior attitude or of thinking people are lesser christians because they don't live like we do.... They do not understand that we live as we do for our own lives, our own obed
Be sure to send in your submissions to the next Carnival of Homeschooling. It will be hosted at Tami’s Blog on November 18. Submissions are due in by 9pm EST on Monday.
It worried me enough that I laid Lucy in her crib and put on my winter coat and hood and trampled through 6 inches of already-fallen snow to go and check on our animals.
I awoke this morning to four of our children's voices coming from outside an upstairs window. I could hear Eric and Hannah talking about how deep the snow was. I looked out to see that they were shoveling it, trying to get to the barn and the garage. They needed to get to the feed in the garage, and then to the animals in the barn. Both paths were 'snowed-in'. The snow in front of the garage was about a foot and a half deep. The barn path wasn't so deep, just a longer path. I was surprised to see that all traces of my trip to the barn only a few hours earlier were gone. The wind had blown the snow clean over my tracks to and from the barn. 
We noticed this funny little chicken and her little crooked beak last summer as the chicks were just getting their feathers. I remember trying to clip her beak just a little so that she could peck better, but there was no way I could keep it up. It didn't make much of a difference in her beak, and Hannie actually teared-up when I did it. Seems Crooked Beak had already found her way into Hannie's heart. Hannie spent the next couple of months making sure Crooked had extra food and milk and water since she couldn't eat very well by herself. We talked sbout the fact that one day, we might go to the barn, and Crooked Beak would be dead. We talked about the fact that we would do what we could, but she just might not make it. I told her about Crooked Beak, and I don't think she was sure how to react. She didn't cry, but wanted to put her in the trash bag by herself. We would talk about it later.
So I have been checking back over at 
I knew last winter that this year would be hard on the gardening, since I was expecting LucyLillie. I knew with an April due date, the garden would not get planted when it should, and tending to it would be hard with a newborn. We waited for the ground to be dry enough to till. Matt tried in March, and it was just too wet, so he and the girls got it done in April.
It was tilled 2-3 times before we could get out there to plant. I used the hoe to furrow the rows. I found it was the best tool to do that. 
Learning about the tilled earth and the cycle of the seed is a lesson that every child should experience. There are so many Bible and Creation lessons that can be learned just by knowing the law of sowing and reaping or how a seed reproduces after its own kind. There's the fact that we must till the earth and water it.
The ground is hard, even after tilling sometimes and must be tended to with your hands. When we plant tomatoes, we dig deep down into the dirt. Then we break off the bottom stems and plant the seedling deep so it will grow strong roots. 
It feels good to get your hands into the freshly-tilled soil and plant something. You are planting something that you know will grow and produce fruit one day. Some of the best lessons and quiet times have been spent in my garden.
One thing I did was to make sure that the rows were farther apart then the width of our tiller. This made it easy to till the weeds in-between each row. It worked out rather well, and even worked when the weeds got tall!
And you must water it. Plants must have plenty of water to ensure they will grow well and flourish. We have to water each seedling after we initially put it into the ground so that the soil falls around its roots. 
And bean shoots, coming up like a little army.
It takes a lot of work, but as with any job well done, it is well worth it! Here, Eric is digging so we can plant our seed potatoes. By the time he is finished, he will have dug a ditch 1 foot deep and piled the dirt on either side of it. Then we planted our cut-up potatoes with eyes on each piece and covered them with 5-6" of dirt. As they grew, we covered the green of the plant with dirt, until there was a mound of dirt. After the plants died off, we knew they were ready to dig up! 
You must work and weed and hoe, so that the peppers keep growing. If we could keep the garden nice and brown, with the dirt like this and no weeds, that would be great. It does take a lot of work for that, though
Here is the broccoli. Isn't it beautiful? It will grow and grow, and you just have to cut off some of the stalk and take it in and wash it, and it is ready to cook and eat! Fresh out of the garden!
When you weed yet again... shake the dirt off the weeds before you toss them! And, for heaven's sake, don't forget your gloves!
And, when you are out weeding with Daddy, you also have to have a little fun sharing your chocolate chip cookies and your toad...
As you are tending to your garden, take time to sketch the herbs you have planted. This is a wonderful project for the whole family. Even those who do not like to draw will participate if it is something you have all worked on together. 
She got out The Tale of Peter Rabbit to write out and was having a hard time writing in cursive since she was looking at the printed words. I copied and pasted each page and made lines for her to copy onto, then I made a box on each page for her to sketch a picture of her own on. Ever since we watched Miss Potter, we have been regaled with beautiful drawings and lovely watercolour paintings of all sorts. 
Welcome to the 17th Homesteading Carnival! This is edition is mainly about Autumn Harvests: Pumpkins, Squash and Apples... All signs that FALL is here! Fall is the time when the earth sheds it's summer coverings to prepare for the bare winter, and then the glorious spring. Fall is the time when we reap what we have worked for all summer and are now able to enjoy the fruits of our labors. 
